Documents for founders to set up a company in Japan
What documents do I need when a foreigner or foreign corporation（as a founder）establishes a company in Japan?
The documents of your home country are required same as the Japanese seal certificate and the company’s registry.
Documents for company establishment in Japan
When establishing a company in Japan, if the founder is an individual, a personal seal certificate（印鑑証明書） is required. If the corporation is a founder, a corporate seal certificate（法人の印鑑証明書） and a copy of corporate registration（会社の登記簿謄本） are required.
When foreigners set up a company, they need alternative documents from their home country. Then, you need to apply for certification of articles of incorporation at the notary office and registration application to the Legal Affairs Bureau. Specifically, the following documents are assumed.
As a Founder（at Certification of articles of incorporation）
The person who becomes the founder needs the following documents. In addition, since paperwork may differ depending on the notary, it is necessary to confirm in advance.
Individual founder：
●Foreigners living in Japan： Seal certificate in Japan（印鑑証明書）
●Foreigners living in Abroad：印鑑公証書（China）/Sign certificate notarized by notary ＋Japanese translation
Corporate founder：
●Japanese corporation：
①Company seal certificate(会社の印鑑証明書)
②Copy of corporate registration（会社の登記簿謄本）
③Shareholder list(株主名簿）
●Foreign corporation ：
①Sign certificate of corporate representative notarized by notary
＋Japanese translation
②登記簿謄本（Korea・Taiwan）/営業許可証（China）notarized by notary,Company establishment certificate notarized by notary ＋Japanese translation, Notary certified by affidavit ＋Japanese translation
③Shareholder list ＋Japanese translation
As a director（at Company registration）
●Foreigners living in Japan： Seal certificate in Japan（印鑑証明書）
●Foreigners living in Abroad：印鑑公証書（China）/Sign certificate notarized by notary ＋Japanese translation
Note:
In principle, the signature certificate must include the content (stamp, name, date of birth, gender, address) described in the seal certificate of Japan.
In addition to the above, the company representative’s signature certificate should also include a statement stating that it is a company representative.
Professional
Masakazu Murai
Immigration consultant, Financial advisor
He has 18 years experience in Investment Banking at Mitsubishi UFJ Morgan Stanley. He had provided financial advisory more than 500 entrepreneurs and senior management.
He currently supports many foreign entrepreneurs in Japan, taking advantage of the experience of an investment banker. He is the best expert of Business VISA in Japan.
Gyoseishoshi Immigration Lawyer
CMA(Japanese financial analyst license)
CFP (Certified Financial Planner)
MBA in Entrepreneurship(Hosei Business School)
