Japan branch registration：Required documents、Representation conditions、Steps and fees

When a foreign company wishes to continue its business activities in Japan，Consider setting up a Japanese branch。The branch is not a subsidiary independent of the overseas head office，However, after completing the registration with the Japanese Legal Affairs Bureau，Can carry out business within the registration scope、Sign a contract、Hire staff and handle subsequent tax and banking matters in the name of the branch。

Core Features of Japan Branch

• Branch office is a Japanese business base of a foreign company，Legal liability is ultimately borne by the overseas head office。
• The branch itself usually does not need to set up independent registered capital like a subsidiary.。
• Must confirm Japanese business address、Representative in Japan、Date of establishment and other statutory registration matters。
• Some industries may involve Japanese banks before or after establishment、Industry authorities or licensing procedures。

Documents normally required for registration

The actual documents will be based on the registered place of the head office.、Company form and Japanese Legal Affairs Bureau requirements determined，Generally include：

1. Registration certificate of overseas head office、Certificate of Existence and Articles of Association。
2. Decided to establish a Japanese branch、Corporate resolution to determine address and appoint representative in Japan。
3. Official documents proving registration matters，Or by a notary public at the location of the head office、Competent authority、Affidavit certified by the embassy or consulate in Japan。
4. Japanese translation of the necessary parts for registration。
5. Proof of identity of the representative in Japan、Address and signature or seal related information。
6. Japan branch seal and application form required by the Legal Affairs Bureau。

What does the affidavit do?

Registration document formats for overseas companies are often different from Japanese business registration requirements，Therefore, in practice, certified affidavits are often used to centrally prove the name of the head office.、Registered address、Basis for establishment、Business scope、director、capital、Representative in Japan and Japanese branch information。The affidavit is not just a self-written explanation.，certification body、The signatory authority and Japanese translation must meet the acceptance requirements。

Japan branch registration process

1. Confirm whether prior notification or industry licensing under the Foreign Exchange Act is involved。
2. Determine the name of the Japanese branch、address、Business scope and representative in Japan。
3. Prepare head office documents、company resolutions、Affidavit and Japanese translation。
4. Complete notarization or embassy or consulate authentication。
5. Apply to the jurisdictional Legal Affairs Bureau for branch establishment registration and seal registration。
6. Obtain registration certificate and seal certificate。
7. Apply to tax authorities、local government、Social insurance and labor related notices。
8. Apply for a branch account according to bank due diligence requirements。

How to estimate processing time and fees

The standard process published by JETRO shows，After the registration matters are confirmed，The overall establishment of a branch can be planned in about one month.，After the Legal Affairs Bureau accepts the supporting documents, it usually takes a certain amount of time to process.。But notarization and certification、Supplementary parts、Industry declaration、Address and bank account opening may significantly extend the project cycle。Fees usually include registration license tax、Document authentication、translate、seal、Professional services and office costs，Cannot cover all projects with a single fixed price。

official information：JETRO：Japanese branch establishment registration procedures

Related services：Japanese company registration

Align the documents with the actual arrangements before submission

handleJapan branch registrationhour，Plan the business first、Equity and management arrangements written as a one-page checklist，Then correspond to the regulations item by item、Proof of identity of shareholders and directors、Proof of registered address and authorization documents。If name spelling appears between files、address、Inconsistent investment methods or signing authority，It is usually easier to cause a fill-in than a missing attachment。

Overseas investors should also confirm in advance whether the documents require notarization、Certification or translation，and open an account、capital remittance、Tax registration and employment arrangements integrated into the same schedule。branch、Subsidiaries and offices have different legal responsibilities and business capabilities.，You cannot choose based on the establishment price alone。

Industry references：Ministry of Justice of Japan：Company establishment and commercial legal person registration procedures。

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