Who Should You Hire for Company Formation in Japan? Differences Between a Gyoseishoshi, Judicial Scrivener, Tax Accountant, and Social Insurance Labor Consultant
Who Should You Hire for Company Formation in Japan?
Gyoseishoshi, Judicial Scrivener, Tax Accountant, and Labor Consultant
When planning to establish a company in Japan, many people wonder whether a Gyoseishoshi can handle the process and how that differs from a judicial scrivener.
In practice, company formation involves several steps, including articles of incorporation, notarization, company registration, tax filings, labor and social insurance procedures, and sometimes business licenses.
This article explains the roles of the professionals involved and the key points foreign entrepreneurs should check before starting a company in Japan.
Main professionals involved in company formation
Company formation in Japan is usually not completed by one professional alone. Different professionals handle different parts of the process.
| Professional | Main role |
|---|---|
| Gyoseishoshi Administrative Scrivener |
Preparation of formation documents such as articles of incorporation and minutes, electronic articles of incorporation, licenses and permits, and applications to government offices |
| Judicial Scrivener | Filing the incorporation registration and handling commercial registration matters such as officer changes and head office relocation |
| Tax Accountant | Tax notifications, bookkeeping, accounting, tax returns, and tax advice |
| Social Insurance Labor Consultant | Labor insurance, social insurance, employment rules, and labor management procedures |
What a Gyoseishoshi can do
A Gyoseishoshi can support company formation procedures and prepare related documents, except for the actual registration filing, which is handled by a judicial scrivener.
Typical support areas include:
- Advising on the overall formation process
- Drafting and adjusting the articles of incorporation
- Preparing founder resolutions and meeting minutes
- Preparing electronic articles of incorporation
- Checking whether licenses or permits are required, such as construction, secondhand dealer, restaurant, or registered support organization matters
- Supporting foreign founders with bilingual explanations and document planning
In businesses that require licenses or permits, problems may arise after incorporation if the business purpose, office, or company structure was not designed properly. It is safer to plan the company with later permits and immigration requirements in mind from the beginning.
What a judicial scrivener handles
The professional who files the incorporation registration for a company or other legal entity in Japan is a judicial scrivener.
In many cases, a Gyoseishoshi prepares the articles of incorporation and related formation documents, while a judicial scrivener handles the commercial registration filing. Our office coordinates with partner judicial scriveners when registration support is needed.
Where tax accountants and labor consultants come in
After incorporation, a company will usually need tax, accounting, labor insurance, and social insurance procedures.
Tax accountants mainly support tax filings and ongoing accounting or tax matters. Social insurance labor consultants mainly support labor insurance, social insurance, employment rules, and labor management.
Why consult a Gyoseishoshi first?
1. Electronic articles of incorporation can reduce unnecessary cost
A Gyoseishoshi can prepare electronic articles of incorporation. If paper articles are used, a revenue stamp of JPY 40,000 is generally required, but electronic articles do not require that stamp duty.
2. Better planning for licenses and permits
In some industries, incorporation alone is not enough. You may also need construction licenses, secondhand dealer permits, restaurant permits, registration as a support organization, or other approvals.
3. Helpful for foreign founders and immigration planning
If a foreign national plans to manage a business in Japan, the immigration side must also be reviewed. In many cases, the relevant status of residence is Business Manager.
Because our office focuses heavily on immigration practice, we can support both the company formation side and the residence status side in a coordinated way.
Basic government costs for establishing a KK
For a Kabushiki Kaisha, the main government-related costs usually include the following:
- Notary fee for the articles of incorporation: approximately JPY 15,000 to JPY 50,000
- Certified copy, data storage, or related notary fees: usually a few thousand yen
- Revenue stamp: JPY 40,000 for paper articles, not required for electronic articles
- Registration tax for incorporation: JPY 150,000 or 0.7% of the capital amount, whichever is higher
Additional costs may include company seals, certificates, judicial scrivener fees, Gyoseishoshi fees, tax accountant fees, and social insurance labor consultant fees.
Certain startup support programs may reduce the registration license tax if the required certificate is obtained from the municipality. Eligibility and procedures differ depending on the local government.
Important point for foreign nationals
Setting up a company in Japan and obtaining the right to manage that company in Japan are not the same legal issue.
Even if a company can be established, immigration authorities will separately examine whether the applicant qualifies for the appropriate status of residence, such as Business Manager.
Foreign entrepreneurs should plan company formation, office setup, business plan preparation, funding explanation, and immigration strategy together from the beginning.
How our office can help
Tommy’s Legal Service provides support and consultation for matters such as:
- Initial planning for company formation
- Drafting of articles of incorporation and related documents
- Electronic articles of incorporation
- Pre-check of required licenses and permits
- Support for foreign founders in English
- Coordination with judicial scriveners, tax accountants, and social insurance labor consultants when needed
You are welcome to contact us even if you are still at the stage of asking whether incorporation is the right choice, whether visa issues may arise, or whether your business needs permits.
Consult us about company formation and foreign entrepreneur support
Company formation should be designed with registration, taxes, social insurance, permits, and immigration strategy in mind.
If you are a foreign entrepreneur or if your planned business may require permits or licenses, early consultation is strongly recommended.
Gyoseishoshi Registration No.: 21080644 / Immigration Application Agent No.: 行-132021200250 / Registered Support Organization No.: 26登-013083
