Entering Japan?
We do more than register.
From strategy and structure through banking, visa, tax, and compliance—every step is covered by a bilingual lawyer network. Your operation in Japan should meet local standards from day one.
Japan market entry is a system, not a checklist
Entering Japan is not just "register a company in Japan." Market study, corporate structure, equity design, visa planning, tax framework, compliance, and day-to-day operations—each step requires someone who understands Chinese enterprises and is fluent in Japanese rules.
We focus on this single problem. We replace pure "registration agency" with a legally grounded advisory practice—your entity should operate at local Japanese standards, sustainably and compliantly. Every engagement is led directly by a partner; complex matters are coordinated with the China-side specialist team at Haihua Yongtai.
Eight service modules
Covering every critical step of Chinese enterprises entering Japan. Each module can be engaged independently or as a package.
Japan entity formation
Comparison and selection across KK (Kabushiki Kaisha) / GK (Godo Kaisha) / subsidiary / branch structures, including articles, equity, directors, seal-making, and filing.
- Entity-type analysis and selection
- Articles and equity design
- Representative director arrangements
- Corporate seals (jitsu-in, ginko-in, kaku-in)
- Legal Affairs Bureau filing & registry extract
Bank account & FX compliance
Japanese banks have tightened scrutiny significantly. The work is upfront: clearly explaining why a Japan account is needed, where capital comes from, and what business will run through it.
- Megabanks (MUFG / Mizuho / SMBC / Resona) onboarding
- Foreign bank alternative paths
- Business plan & source-of-funds documentation
- Interview accompaniment & follow-up
- Cross-border FX & cash management advice
Business Manager visa
The core visa for investor-operators. Requirements: capital of ¥5M or more, real operations, dedicated office, and demonstrable business continuity.
- Eligibility assessment & path design
- Business plan (5-year financial projection)
- Office selection & lease compliance
- Capital and source-of-funds proof
- Certificate of Eligibility application & renewal
Highly-Skilled Professional visa
Points-based visa, 70+ points to qualify. Education, income, position, research, age, language, and affiliations all add up. Accelerates path to permanent residence.
- Personal points pre-assessment
- Type-1 vs Type-2 distinction
- Document strategy & filing
- 5-year tenure / 1-year fast-track to PR
- Family stay & spouse work arrangements
Tax & accounting framework
Coordinating local Japanese accountants and tax professionals to set up books that meet Japanese GAAP, plus consolidation with Chinese parent and tax planning.
- Tax accountant engagement & monthly bookkeeping
- Corporate tax & consumption tax filings
- Withholding & year-end adjustment
- Cross-border related-party & transfer pricing
- Consolidation with China HQ
Employment & labor compliance
Japanese labor law strongly protects employees. Termination, overtime, benefits, and social insurance compliance differs significantly from China.
- Employment contracts & work rules
- Social insurance & labor insurance enrollment
- 36-Agreement & overtime caps
- Termination / severance risk assessment
- Foreign employee visa coordination
Commercial contract review & negotiation
Japanese contracts often contain provisions that read polite but operate strictly. We provide bilingual side-by-side reading, risk annotation, and negotiation support.
- Vendor & customer contract review
- Distribution & licensing negotiation
- NDAs & non-compete
- Bilingual annotation & risk flags
- Pre-execution compliance review
Real estate acquisition (if applicable)
If operations involve owning offices, retail, or warehouses, we coordinate local real estate counsel and tax accountants on holding structure.
- Commercial property search & due diligence
- Holding structure (individual / entity / SPV)
- Acquisition & property tax planning
- Lease & operations management
- (License held: real estate transactions)
Who this is for
We focus on these four client types. If your situation differs but you genuinely need bilingual cross-border legal support, please reach out anyway.
Chinese enterprises strategically entering Japan
Established overseas operations, planning a wholly-owned or joint venture in Japan as an APAC base; needs a partner across formation, compliance, and long-term operations.
New WFOE / joint venture formation
Whether KK or GK, wholly-owned or with Japanese partners, the structure should be designed with tax, visa, and exit considerations in view from day one.
HNW individuals operating long-term in Japan
Coming via Business Manager visa, with family residence, school enrollment, PR pathway, and asset structuring all coordinated.
Cross-border investment funds / SPVs
Holding Japanese real estate, equity, or other assets via SPV—requires ongoing compliance and tax structure maintenance.
Chinese Enterprises Entering Japan · Reference Fee Ranges
Reference ranges for common service items. Final quotes depend on project scope, complexity, and urgency. All figures are JPY, excluding consumption tax.
| Service Item | Fee Model | Reference Range |
|---|---|---|
| KK (Kabushiki Kaisha) incorporation — full package (articles notarization → registration → bank account → tax filings) | One-time | ¥500K–1.2M |
| Business Manager visa application (incl. business plan drafting) | One-time | ¥400K–800K |
| Monthly legal counsel retainer (contract review · employment · general advisory) | Monthly | ¥150K–500K / mo |
| Annual partner-level retainer (tax · labor · year-round compliance review) | Annual | ¥2M–8M / yr |
| M&A advisory / post-merger integration (per project) | Project | ¥3M–15M + |
| Major contract drafting & review (CN/JP bilingual) | Project | ¥300K–1M |
Initial 30-minute consultation is available online at no charge. Engagements begin after detailed scope review and quote confirmation.
Chinese Enterprises Entering Japan · Standard 6-Step Process
Standard process from initial consultation to full-scale operation of the Japanese subsidiary. Every step clarifies client/firm responsibilities, time estimates, and deliverables.
Needs Diagnosis & Plan Design
30-minute consultation to understand entry motivation, industry, and scale; initial assessment of visa type, entity form, and business scope.
Capital & Entity Structure Design
Determine shareholder structure, capital, directors, fiscal year, and articles. Tax planning runs in parallel.
Incorporation & Registration
Articles notarization → capital remittance → Legal Affairs Bureau registration → registration certificate issuance.
Visa, Tax & Social Insurance Filings
Business Manager visa application, tax filings, social/labor insurance filings, bank account opening.
Operating Foundation
Employment contract templates, work rules, contract templates, compliance handbook. Optional: accounting system and tax accountant integration.
Ongoing Counsel Retainer
Monthly/annual counsel relationship. Covers contract review, employment advisory, annual compliance review, and regulatory updates.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Japan company formation take?
Is there a minimum investment for the Business Manager visa?
Why are bank account openings often rejected?
Are Japanese directors required?
Can everything be done remotely?
What happens annually after launch?
30 minutes to a candid view on whether to enter.
Not every Chinese enterprise should enter Japan right now. Our first conversation gives you an honest "go / wait / change plan" assessment based on your actual situation. Complimentary.