Valsen Corporate

Japan Representative Office

  • Japan Representative Office
  • The advantage of creating a Representative Office in Japan is to be able to carry marketing survey and information gathering activity in Japan before starting a full-scale operation, without having to support the burden of the full-size company and especially keeping a Japan Yen General Ledger and paying taxes. The Representative Office can employ people in Japan and does not need to be registered with legal authorities like the Legal Affairs Bureau. The only registration needed is with tax office for payment of employees withheld income taxes. A representative office is often used by companies that wish to employ people in Japan for support activity or before starting a full-scale activity. The Representative Office in Japan cannot engage in sales or marketing activity. Basically, it cannot be engaged in any “for profit” activity that would give rise to a tax liability in Japan. It is a light first step to establish a company in Japan. Typical activities of a representative office are public relations, advertising, market intelligence and research and preparation to set up of a subsidiary.

  • Features of a Japan Representative Office

    Japan Representative Office

    Corporate Details

    General
    • Type of Entity

     Representative Office
    • Registered Office in Japan

    Yes
    • Shelf company availability

    No
    • Our time to establish a new company

    2 Months
    • Corporate Taxation

    No
    • Access to Double Taxation Treaties

    No

    Share capital or equivalent
    • Standard currency

    USD
    • Permitted currencies

    EUR, USD, GBP, JPY
    • Minimum paid-up

    None

    No
    • No-par-value shares allowed

    No

    Directors
    • Minimum number

    One
    • Local required

    No
    • Publicly accessible records

    Yes
    • Location of meetings

    Anywhere
    • Corporate directorship allowed

    Yes

    Shareholders
    • Minimum number

    Parent Company
    • Publicly accessible records

    Yes
    • Corporate shareholders allowed

    Yes
    • Location of meetings

    Anywhere

    Company Secretary
    • Required

    No
    • Local or qualified

    No

    Accounts
    • Requirements to prepare

    No
    • Audit requirements

    No
    • Requirements to file accounts

    No
    • Publicly accessible accounts

    No

    Other
    • Requirement to file annual return

    No
    • Migration of domicile permitted

    No
     Advantages of a Japanese Representative Office
    1. It is not subject to Japanese income taxes and does not have to file income tax returns.
    2. Registration for a startup is not necessary.
    3. Costs of a representative office are deductible from headquarters’ income.
    The Valsen Advantage
    1. Speedy, Efficient and consistent Services.
    2. Relentless effort to obtain bank accounts.
    3. Expert advice on structuring options.
    4. Dedicated ongoing compliance support.