Specializing in Immigration Law KUROKAWA OFFICE Immigration Lawyer in Japan VISA and MARRIAGE RELATED LEGAL IMMIGRATION SERVICES

		INVESTING IN JAPAN/ ESTABLISHMENT OF COMPANY OR BRANCH OFFICE
		A foreign company can invest in Japan by establishing a representative office, a branch office or a subsidiary company in Japan. In the case of the representative office, this office can not engage in sales activities, however, there is no need to be registered at the Legal Affairs Bureau.
		To do business in Japan, in general, the foreign company can establish a branch office or a subsidiary company.
		In the case of the branch office there is no need to invest capital for the purpose of registration at the Legal Affairs Bureau. The office should determine the address of the branch office, the representative who resides in Japan, and check whether the company name and business purposes can be registered. To register, it is necessary to prepare various documents from the company in its home country. In some cases an affidavit, certified by their embassy in Japan, can be used in applying for the registration of the branch office.
		In the case of a subsidiary company, capital can be one yen since a new company law has come into effect. For the company it is necessary to determine a disclosure method of balance sheets etc. Also, a company seal should be registered. The certificate of the company seal can be used for business.
		Regarding visa issues, foreign persons may need to apply for investor/ business manager visas or inter company transfer visas.
		Apart from a foreign company which plans to invest in Japan, a foreigner who resides in Japan can start a business in Japan by incorporating a company. Depending on their present visa status, they might need to change their visa to an investor/ business manager visa.