Insights & Guides
Practical knowledge on Japan market entry — from company setup and visas to trade logistics and branding.
How Do You Pay In Capital for a Japan Company With No Japan Bank Account? (2026)
You do not need a personal Japan bank account to pay in share capital (資本金) when incorporating a Japan company from overseas. Companies Act (会社法) Article 34, Paragraph 2 allows a Japan-resident...
Why a Translated SDS Isn't Enough for Japan
No. A translated Safety Data Sheet (SDS) is not sufficient for Japan. Japan requires SDS localization to the JIS Z 7253 standard, which is Japan's GHS-aligned format specifying section structure,...
Why Does a Japan Company Owe Tax With Zero Profit? The Per-Capita Inhabitant Tax Explained (2026)
A Japan company owes tax even at zero profit because of the per-capita component (均等割) of the Corporate Inhabitant Tax (法人住民税), a flat local levy owed simply for having a registered office in...
Does a Japan Business Contract Need a Revenue Stamp? Stamp Duty Rules for Foreign Companies (2026)
A paper contract in a category specified by the Stamp Tax Act (印紙税法) needs a physical revenue stamp (収入印紙); a purely electronic contract does not, because no paper original means no taxable...
What Happens When a Japan KK or GK Enters Civil Rehabilitation? (2026 Guide)
When a foreign-owned Japan KK or GK subsidiary files for Civil Rehabilitation (民事再生), the existing representative director and management team keep running the business while a rehabilitation plan...
Can You Net Seller and Buyer Payments in a Japan IOR Deal? (2026)
Yes. Netting the goods-value payables and receivables between an overseas seller and a Japan buyer is not prohibited under Japanese law, provided the underlying Importer of Record (IOR) purchase...
Does Running a Data Center or Hosting Service in Japan Require Telecom Business Registration? (2026 Guide)
Usually not, but it depends on what the service does, not how big the facility is. Pure server-capacity rental where a customer only runs its own website is exempt from filing under the...
Do You Need a Separate PSE Certificate for Every Product Model in Japan?
No. PSE certification under Japan's Electrical Appliance and Material Safety Act (電気用品安全法) is not organized around the individual SKU. It runs on three separate units: a type-classification group...
Is Website Accessibility Legally Required for Businesses in Japan? (2026 Guide)
No single law makes private-sector website accessibility a direct legal mandate in Japan, but two related developments change the risk calculus. Since April 1, 2024, the Act for the Elimination of...
Does Changing Jobs Affect Your HSP Visa Points Score in Japan? (2026 Guide)
Yes. Your Highly Skilled Professional (高度専門職) status is tied to the specific employer and role you scored 70 or more points on, not to the label in the abstract, so a new job can lower your score...