Company formation — a sole-founder KK in Tokyo, incorporated in about 40 days.
Background
A permanent resident of South Asian origin needed to incorporate a Kabushiki Kaisha (KK) in Tokyo for her AI-powered SaaS business. She had no prior experience with Japanese corporate procedures and no existing relationship with a tax advisor in Japan.
Challenge
The registered head office arrangement required careful coordination for mail handling and bank account eligibility. As the sole founder, director, and shareholder, every procedural step depended on a single individual’s availability. Post-incorporation tax filing deadlines also meant that a qualified English-speaking tax advisor needed to be in place promptly after establishment.
What We Did
We prepared all incorporation documents in Japanese and English, handled electronic notarization of the articles of incorporation, and filed the registration with the Legal Affairs Bureau. We identified that the incorporation qualified for a recently introduced statutory fee reduction and structured the filing to take advantage of it, roughly halving the notarization cost; our standard electronic filing approach avoided a further stamp duty that arises on paper filings. Certified copies and seal certificates were obtained and delivered, and a corporate bank account application was prepared and submitted. In parallel with the registration — rather than after it — we introduced the client to a CPA and tax accountant licensed in both Japan and the United States, keeping statutory filing deadlines comfortably within reach.
Outcome
From initial contact to delivery of certified registration documents: approximately 40 days. The KK was incorporated in Tokyo, the corporate bank account was successfully opened, and the client was connected with an English-speaking tax advisor for ongoing compliance.
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