Incorporation, Residency & Visa Procedures, and Business Licenses

Since becoming a certified Solicitor (Gyosei Shoshi) in 2007, I have supported numerous clients with company incorporation, residency and visa applications, and business license procedures—working directly in English throughout the process.

With experience handling the full workflow from setting up a company to securing the licenses required to begin operations, the office provides seamless support without the need for an interpreter or separate coordinators.

If you are looking for a single point of contact who can manage these procedures efficiently in English, please feel free to consult this office.tely want you to leave this field to this office.

Establishment of Corporations and branches in Japan and the United States

The office provides tailored advice and hands-on assistance to foreign clients establishing corporations, subsidiaries, or branches in Japan. When required, we also handle advance and post-establishment filings with the Bank of Japan.

Because foreign-owned businesses often need to secure residence status and obtain business licenses after incorporation, we guide clients toward structures that satisfy both immigration and regulatory requirements from the outset. As I once wrote on my blog, even without actively promoting this service, inquiries and requests began pouring in years ago—this organically became one of the office’s core areas of expertise. Drawing on accumulated know-how that few professionals possess, we can recommend the most appropriate approach and manage the entire process smoothly.

Since organizing an inheritance seminar in Hawaii in 2018, I have been entrusted by many clients from both Hawaii and Japan to assist with legal procedures there. After obtaining my attorney’s license in 2022, I expanded the scope of my U.S. practice to include the mainland, particularly incorporation-related matters and visa consultations. There are still very few Gyosei Shoshi or attorneys who truly understand the systems and practical realities of both Japan and the United States, and who can navigate procedures across both jurisdictions.
Please feel free to contact the office for an initial consultation.

For more information on establishing a corporation in Japan, please see the separate column on this website (here) or my blog by searching keyword “corporation”.

Applying for residence status in Japan and obtaining a visa in the US

To act on your behalf when applying for residence status in Japan, the professional must hold a license as an Application Agent (Shinsei Toritsugishi). Only Gyosei Shoshi and attorneys with this authorization are permitted to represent clients in immigration procedures. Although the application process may appear straightforward, it requires specialized expertise and practical know-how built through experience.

For foreign nationals seeking Business Manager status, a clear and persuasive business plan is essential. The office provides guidance on structuring a plan that meets the standards expected by immigration authorities and effectively conveys the feasibility of the business. As mentioned elsewhere, we handle not only work-related and family-related applications but also performance / entertainment visas.

We are often entrusted with cases considered difficult by other Gyosei Shoshi, and the office maintains a very high approval rate through careful preparation and realistic strategies.

If you require visas for short-term stays—either inbound to Japan or outbound from Japan—we can also support those processes.

The office additionally provides assistance with a wide range of U.S. visa categories, including B1/B2, E1/E2, artist visas (O & P), and consultations on denied cases.

Professionals with a strong understanding of both Japanese residence status procedures and U.S. visa frameworks remain rare, and this dual expertise allows the office to offer consistent guidance across both systems.

If you are considering applying for Japanese residence status or a U.S. visa, please feel free to contact the office through the inquiry form.

There is a separate column on this website about various things related to residence applications in Japan, so please refer to that as well.

Obtaining Business Licenses in Japan and in the US

If your company intends to engage in activities that require government approval, the office provides comprehensive support in obtaining the necessary licenses and permits. In the United States, licensing requirements apply not only under federal law but, more commonly, under the laws of each state, county, and municipality where the business operates.

In Japan, assisting clients with business license procedures is an area where gyosei shoshi have broad and practical experience, and this office is frequently consulted for such matters. Although not extensively advertised, business licensing has long been one of my core practice areas.

The office can support applications for a wide range of regulated fields, including temporary staffing and recruiting services (I previously served as the Japan representative of a UK recruiting firm, which enables me to provide highly practical guidance), travel agencies, food and beverage establishments, entertainment venues, secondhand goods dealers, liquor sales, construction industry permits, real estate license acquisition and renewal, and situations where additional professional licenses or coordination are required.

In many cases, the articles of incorporation and corporate registration documents need to specifically reflect business activities related to the target license. Addressing these requirements at the incorporation stage can prevent delays later. For this reason, the office often advises on incorporation structure, residence status planning, and business licensing in an integrated manner, particularly for foreign entrepreneurs.

The office also supports many startups participating in the Tokyo Metropolitan Government’s Business Development Center Tokyo programs, providing assistance with what clients commonly refer to as the three essentials: company establishment, residence status planning, and business licensing.

If your planned business activities require licensing in Japan or in the United States, please feel free to contact the office for tailored guidance.

Back office services after Incorporation, and Support for loans, grants, and subsidies

After a corporation is registered with the Legal Affairs Bureau, a number of administrative procedures follow. These include opening a corporate bank account, submitting notifications to the tax office, and, if employees are hired, handling social insurance registrations, monthly payroll calculations, bookkeeping, and annual financial reporting to the tax authorities. While many of these tasks are carried out by other licensed professionals, they are closely connected to residence status applications and business license procedures. At your request, the office can guide you through the necessary steps and introduce you to affiliated specialists when required.

Maintaining stable cash flow is also an important aspect of operating a business. The office provides guidance on applying for loans from the Japan Finance Corporation (a government-owned financial institution) and from private banks that support small and medium-sized enterprises. Assistance is also available for identifying and applying for grants and subsidies. Depending on the client’s needs, the office can prepare presentation materials and application documents and submit them on the client’s behalf. Please feel free to contact the office if you would like support in these areas.