How to Set Up a Financial Business in Japan
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- How to Set Up a Financial Business in Japan
If you have already successfully completed financial license registration, click the button on the right for information on requirements and processes after registration.
How to Set Up a Financial Business in Japan
Finding office space
Incorporating your business
Opening a bank account
Applying for a status of residence
Hiring staff

Coming to Japan
Joining an international school
Finding housing
Applying for statuses of residence for your family

Complete necessary procedures with public institutions
(Financial Instruments and Exchange Act requirements, tax, national insurance, status of residence, etc.)
Commence operations
Incorporating Your Business
Companies establish bases in Japan generally as either representative offices, branch offices, or subsidiary companies. A lawyer or judicial scrivener can provide help with carrying out the necessary set up procedures.
Opening a Bank Account
Banks have different procedures to open an account. Please contact the banks directly for details. Specific municipalities are also available for consultation.
Applying for a Status of Residence
Foreign nationals must obtain a valid work visa to reside and work in Japan. Please consult a legal expert (an administrative scrivener) for help with immigration and residency-related matters.
Taxes
Companies that engage in economic activities in Japan are subject to taxation in Japan on profits derived from those activities. A licensed tax accountant can provide more information.
Human Resources
Recruitment agencies, hiring websites, newspaper ads, and recruitment magazines are just a handful of ways that companies hire employees in Japan.
Finding Office Space
Finding office space should be done as early as possible, as companies need to have an office address to fill out applications and carry out various procedures. Some of the procedures that require an office address include registering businesses, submitting official documents, applying for certificates of eligibility for immigration, opening bank accounts, and hiring employees.
Click here for details (JETRO)
Obtaining Financial Licenses
The general flow of the examination procedures to register as a financial instruments business is illustrated below. To ensure that registration procedures go smoothly, applicants should determine the specifics of the business description and methods, personnel structure, and the internal control system in advance.
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Consultation with the Financial Market Entry Office
The Summary of Applicant requires the following information in addition to other documents:
* Contact the Financial Services Agency or the Finance Bureau here. |
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Preparation and submission of draft registration application documents
* See here for details regarding the pre-application consultation period. * Creating the drafts will take approximately three to four months, depending on the registration applicant’s situation. |
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Application for Registration |
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Issuance of Notice of Completion of Registration (registration completed)* Standard period for processing of registration application is as follows: |
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Procedure to join a self-regulatory organization (ADR measures) |
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Commence operations |