Starting a business in Japan
Legal Forms of Companies
- Kabushiki Kaisha (KK): Public Limited Company
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Number of partners: Minimum of one; or 400 if the company is listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange. The minimum number of directors is three in a KK with a board of directors, or one for a KK without a board of directors; with no limitation on the number of shareholders.
Capital (max/min): Minimum JPY 1
Shareholders and liability: Limited to the amount of capital contributed
- Godo Kaisha (GK): Limited Liability Company
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Number of partners: Minimum one partner
Capital (max/min): Minimum JPY 1
Shareholders and liability: Limited to the amount of capital contributed
- Goshi Kaisha (GK): Limited Partnership
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Number of partners: Minimum of two partners
Two types of partners: active partners and sleeping partners
Capital (max/min): Minimum JPY 1
Shareholders and liability: Unlimited for the active partners; limited to the amount of capital contributed for the sleeping partners.
- Gomei Kaisha (GK): General Partnership
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Number of partners: Minimum of two partners
Capital (max/min): No minimum capital
Shareholders and liability: Unlimited
Business Setup Procedures
Setting Up a Company |
Japan |
OECD |
Procedures (number) |
8.0 |
5.2 |
Time (days) |
11.1 |
9.5 |
Source: Doing Business - Latest available data.
- The Competent Organisation
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Administrative formalities must be carried out at the bureau of legal affairs of the Ministry of Justice.
- For Further Information
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Doing Business: Japan, learn about procedures to start a business in Japan
Trade Register
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Latest Update: March 2023