Setting up a company in Japan is an important step for many companies to expand into the Asian market. However, Japan's system of company registration and subsequent maintenance is unique and involves a number of legal, tax, and annual review aspects. Without a thorough understanding of the relevant rules, companies may face registration failures, tax penalties or operational compliance risks. In this article, we systematize the core considerations from registration to long-term maintenance of Japanese companies from a popular science perspective to help companies achieve a smooth landing and sound operation.

I. Key considerations for Japanese company registration

1. Authenticity and compliance of materials

• All registration materials submitted to the Legal Affairs Bureau must be true and valid. Providing false information will not only result in registration failure, but may also lead to legal liability.
• registered addresstogether withevidence of financial contributionIt is necessary to prepare strictly according to the requirements of the Legal Affairs Bureau, and it is recommended to consult a professional organization in advance to ensure compliance.

2. Tax compliance and management planning

• The Japanese tax system is complex and involves a variety of taxes such as corporate tax, consumption tax, and local tax.
• It is recommended to hire a professional Japanese tax accountant or appoint a tax agent at the early stage of the company's establishment to ensure that tax returns are accurate and timely and to avoid penalties or credit risks arising from omissions or misstatements.

3. Operational management of visa-related matters

• If you plan to apply for a Japanese management visa through a registered company, special attention is required:
  • The company's business must be authentic and sustainable.
  • According to the latest policy, registered capital is recommended to be no less than 30 million yen.
  • A detailed business plan describing the business content, market analysis and revenue projections is required to increase the chance of visa approval.

4. Corporate governance and legal structure

• After the establishment of a company, it is required to establish a governance structure in accordance with the Companies Act of Japan, including the holding of regular shareholders' meetings and the production and keeping of minutes of such meetings.
• It is recommended that the rights and responsibilities of directors and shareholders be clarified at an early stage, and that articles of association be drawn up to ensure that operations comply with legal requirements.

If you have domestic company registration (Shenzhen / Guangzhou / Shanghai / Beijing / Hangzhou, etc.), overseas company registration (Hong Kong / U.S. / Japan / Britain / Singapore / Thailand / Vietnam / BVI / Cayman Islands, etc.), Hong Kong identity applications and renewals, cross-border tax planning, shareholding structure design, compliance and risk control programs and other needs, you can add customer service (WeChat: qcygscszk, cell phone: 18676749275), we will customize your exclusive optimization program to help you comply with the business, save money and increase efficiency!

II. Post maintenance of Japanese companies: annual review, tax and audit

Incorporation is not the end of the road; ongoing compliance maintenance is the key to long-term sound business. The main maintenance work includes annual review, tax filing and audit response.

1. Annual review (annual inspection)

• timing: Starting after the company has been registered for one year, it is conducted annually.
• element::
  • Renewal of company registrations (business fujimoto).
  • Confirmation of director and shareholder information, registered address.
  • Pay the annual fee and obtain a renewed Business Registration Certificate and Annual Inspection Certificate.
• Required materials: A full set of company registration documents, director and shareholder identification, and relevant documents if there is any change.
• workflows: Usually submitted through an agent for government approval, which takes 15-20 working days.
• Important Notes: After the annual audit, you need to bring the relevant documents to the bank for the annual audit of your account, so it is important to keep the annual audit information in a safe place.

2. Tax filing and compliance

There are many types of taxes in Japan, and companies are required to file regular returns based on their business situation. The main types of taxes include:

• corporate tax: Taxes are levied on profits, with rates varying depending on the size of the business and the profit range.
• sales tax: Standard tax rate 10%, companies with registered capital of 10 million yen or less are exempted for the first two years, but are still required to file a return.
• local taxFor example, corporate resident tax (equalization tax), business tax, etc., a fixed amount of money must be paid even if the company is losing money.
• Fixed asset tax: An annual levy is imposed on assets such as land and buildings held by companies.

Response to tax investigations

• Tax surveys in Japan are conducted from July to November every year and are categorized into "arbitrary surveys" and "mandatory surveys".
• Businesses should do:
  • Keep proper books of accounts, invoices, contracts, bank flows and other documents for at least the past 3 years.
  • Daily bookkeeping is clear and standardized, and a cloud-based accounting system (e.g. freee, MF Cloud) is recommended.
  • Cooperate actively with the investigation, answer questions truthfully, and respond with the assistance of a tax accountant if necessary.

3. Analysis of the audit system

• Auditing is not mandatory for all businesses in Japan, and is usually required in the following cases:
  • Companies with capitalization of more than 500 million yen or liabilities of more than 20 billion yen.
  • Listed companies or companies in specific industries (e.g. finance, insurance).
• Even if a statutory audit is not required, it is recommended that a standardized system of internal financial controls be established and complete accounting records be maintained for financing, due diligence or future expansion.

If you have domestic company registration (Shenzhen / Guangzhou / Shanghai / Beijing / Hangzhou, etc.), overseas company registration (Hong Kong / U.S. / Japan / Britain / Singapore / Thailand / Vietnam / BVI / Cayman Islands, etc.), Hong Kong identity applications and renewals, cross-border tax planning, shareholding structure design, compliance and risk control programs and other needs, you can add customer service (WeChat: qcygscszk, cell phone: 18676749275), we will customize your exclusive optimization program to help you comply with the business, save money and increase efficiency!

III. Summary of maintenance points and recommendations

1. Systematization of bookkeeping and tax filing
   • It is recommended that vouchers be organized and entered into the accounts on a monthly basis in a timely manner to avoid year-end piling up of errors.
   • Professional bookkeeping firms or tax accountants can be appointed to build a compliant and efficient financial system.
2. Annual calendar management
   • Plan ahead for annual audits, tax filings, and other timelines, and set reminders to avoid being late.
   • Corporate tax returns are generally due within two months of the end of the fiscal year, and extensions may be requested in accordance with the law but may incur late fees.
3. Long-term compliance and cultural adaptation
   • Understand and comply with the Japanese Companies Act and related local regulations.
   • It is recommended to choose a professional organization that has bilingual Chinese and Japanese service capabilities to help cope with language, cultural and institutional differences.

Running a company in Japan.Registration is the starting point, maintenance is the normThe company is a leader in the field of tax preparation and tax filing. From ensuring the authenticity of the documents, to planning the tax structure, to completing the annual review and filing tax returns year by year, each step is related to the legitimacy and sustainability of the business. It is recommended that companies establish a long-term compliance awareness from the early stage of establishment and make good use of local professional services, so as to minimize operational risks and focus on business development.