Japan flag Japan: Operating a Business in Japan

Starting a business in Japan

Legal Forms of Companies

Kabushiki Kaisha (KK): Public Limited Company
Number of partners: Minimum of one; or 400 if the company is listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange. The minimum number of directors is three in a KK with a board of directors, or one for a KK without a board of directors; with no limitation on the number of shareholders.
Capital (max/min): Minimum JPY 1
Shareholders and liability: Limited to the amount of capital contributed
Godo Kaisha (GK): Limited Liability Company
Number of partners: Minimum one partner
Capital (max/min): Minimum JPY 1
Shareholders and liability: Limited to the amount of capital contributed
Goshi Kaisha (GK): Limited Partnership
Number of partners: Minimum of two partners

Two types of partners: active partners and sleeping partners
Capital (max/min): Minimum JPY 1
Shareholders and liability: Unlimited for the active partners; limited to the amount of capital contributed for the sleeping partners.

Gomei Kaisha (GK): General Partnership
Number of partners: Minimum of two partners
Capital (max/min): No minimum capital
Shareholders and liability: Unlimited
 

Business Setup Procedures

Setting Up a Company Japan OECD
Procedures (number) 8.0 5.2
Time (days) 11.1 9.5

Source: Doing Business - Latest available data.

 
The Competent Organisation
Administrative formalities must be carried out at the bureau of legal affairs of the Ministry of Justice.
For Further Information
Doing Business: Japan, learn about procedures to start a business in Japan
Trade Register
 

Financial Information Directories

Dun & Bradstreet - Worldwide directory with financial information on businesses

Japan Inc - Japan Business Directory

Kompass Japan - Business directory for Japan

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Latest Update: March 2024