From the Japanese FMCG market to registering a Japanese company for localized operations, with a reference to the cost of registering a Japanese company in 2026!
Published: 2026-01-29

Enterprise Caiying Group provides the U.S. company / Singapore company / Japan company / Thailand company / Malaysia company / Canada company / Mexico company / Brazil company / UK company / France company / New Zealand company / Vietnam company / Indonesia company / Dubai company and other foreign companies registered in the relevant business and taxation services, but also to provide Hong Kong company / Shenzhen company / Guangzhou company / Shanghai company / Hangzhou company / Beijing company / Hainan company and other domestic companies registered corporate services, company annual audit / bookkeeping tax / payment of MPF / change of information / bank account / ODI filing / BVI registration / tax compliance / cross-border e-commerce accompanied running Beijing company / Hainan company and other domestic companies registered corporate services, the company annual audit audit / bookkeeping tax / payment of MPF / change of information / bank account opening / ODI filing / BVI registration / tax compliance / cross-border e-commerce accompanied by running on behalf of the operation of the enterprise one-stop service, you have the need or interested in any time to drop me (phone and WeChat consulting: 13045886252 ).

In the context of global economic integration, the Japanese market has attracted the attention of more and more Chinese entrepreneurs.

To register a Japanese company in a country with a strong economic system, it is crucial to understand the business environment, registration conditions, registration process, required documents and related costs.

A Look Back at Japan's Top 3 Beauty, Apparel, and Food Category Trends by 2025

It is reported that Nint ECommerce recently released a 2025 data analysis of the three major e-commerce platforms, Rakuten Market, Amazon and Yahoo Shopping.

The data shows that the Japanese e-commerce market in 2025 exhibits significant structural changes in core categories such as food, apparel and beauty.

As a whole, influenced by the climate, consumer psychology and lifestyle changes, e-commerce consumption is gradually shifting from "emergency-type, single product-type demand" to "long-term, value-type and self-investment-type demand".

In the food category, the biggest change in 2025 will be a shift in sales emphasis from a focus on beverages to food proper, such as fish and crab, as well as processed foods.

Among the top 10 products in terms of annual sales, A-Sha's "Boneless Fish Fillet 2kg" was ranked No. 1 for the second consecutive year, making it a rare case in which the product topped the overall list out of more than 300 million items. The success of this product is mainly due to the price advantage per unit and the convenience of cooking due to the boneless process.

Compared to 2024, the share of beverages in the annual TOP 100 commodities for food declines from 72% to 59%.This change is not a result of weakening demand for beverages, but rather of a large number of food commodities, such as mackerel and crab, moving into the high-volume range.

Nonetheless, there is a trend of "selection and concentration" within the Beverages category, with fewer items, but average sales of individual items up 6% year-over-year.

In 2025, a year in which Japan experienced even harsher heat than in 2024, the demand for "instant drinks" went to convenience stores and vending machines, while e-commerce platforms catered to the need for large packages of beverages to be purchased in one place.

At the same time, label-free beverages are continuously promoted by environmental awareness, and have entered a stable stage from "innovative selling point" to become a standard configuration in e-commerce channels.

In the apparel category, the change in 2025 is particularly significant. Unlike 2024, when the focus was on functional goods for protection from the summer heat and cold, the focus of consumption has shifted significantly to "self-investment".

Among them, A's Silk Sleeping Hat has jumped from outside the Top 100 in 2024 to the No. 1 spot in 2025, making it the biggest dark horse.

This phenomenon is closely related to the fact that the overall hair care category has expanded to 1.13 times the sales size on the three platforms, reflecting the significant increase in consumer attention to hair care during sleep.

Meanwhile, recovery apparel was also a strong performer. g Society's recovery apparel jumped to No. 7 from No. 75 in the previous year, thanks to celebrity-endorsed advertisements, advertisements at major promotional nodes, and a precise grasp of gift consumption scenarios.

2025 Father's Day, "pillow" and other sleep-related goods in the social platform popularity, but also further evidence of the rise of sleep-related consumer demand.

Compared to the food category, the top 10 items in apparel have a faster turnover rate, with three new items entering the top 10 for the first time in 2025.

In the beauty category, the overall market landscape remained stable, and in 2025, makeup remover oils from Club A and Club B continued to take the No. 1 and No. 2 spots in terms of sales, forming a solid "two-pronged structure".

This trend is closely related to the return of the offline office and the increase in the frequency of going out, and the increase in make-up scenes, driving the demand for make-up remover to continue to grow. In terms of sales composition, the gap between the top four items is small, and competition is relatively stalemate.

Meanwhile, Korean brands remained strong in the mask category, with two products entering the annual TOP 10, relying on efficient communication during the promotional period to take advantage of an already highly mature market segment.

It is worth noting that hair care related products have also begun to enter the beauty list, I Social's wash and care set ranked 10th, echoing the hot sales of silk sleep caps in the clothing category, showing that "hair care" is becoming an important cross-category consumer theme.

On this basis, Nint has forecasted e-commerce trends for 2026. In the food sector, where label-free beverages have become the norm, future growth will focus on health-consciousness-related goods and goods exclusive to the e-commerce channel.

Consumers' core expectations of e-commerce are still focused on price advantage, and the combination of "health attributes + large packaging + centralized purchasing" is expected to become mainstream.

In the apparel category, the heat of heat-prevention goods is stabilizing, and consumption will shift more to functional and sleep-related products, and the trend of small consumption upgrades characterized by "self-investment" and "light luxury upgrades" is expected to continue.

The beauty sector will further show channel division of labor, new product attempts occur more offline, while online to undertake the demand for repurchase, Korean beauty in the mask field still has an advantage, hair care and the future of eyelash and eyebrow care segments are considered to have growth potential.

Overall, the Japanese e-commerce market in 2025 will be influenced by sustained high temperatures and a changing consumer mindset, with consumers more inclined to purchase goods that are commonly used, practical, and have long-term value, as well as more willing to spend money on health and self-improvement. Looking ahead to 2026, consumer demand around health, sleep, self-improvement, and value for money will continue to be the most important direction for e-commerce platforms and brands as they formulate their business strategies.

01 Basic Requirements for Japanese Company Registration

To register a company in Japan, it is important to first understand the basic conditions for registering a Japanese company.

(1) Legal status requirements:To register a company in Japan, at least one legal representative, usually a director, is required. This legal person can be of Japanese or foreign nationality, but is required to have a fixed business address in Japan.

2) Registered capital requirements:There is no fixed dollar limit for registered capital, but generally the minimum requirement is 1 yen. However, in order to increase the credibility of the company, the recommended registered capital is usually 1 million yen or more.

3) Business address:When applying for company registration, you will need to provide a physical business address in Japan. This address will be used for legal documents and tax registration.

4) Company name requirements:The registered company name must be unique and must not duplicate the name of an already registered company. In addition, the name should contain the words "corporation" or "contracting company" to clarify the type of company.

5) Operational activities prescribed by law:During the registration process, it is necessary to clarify the company's scope of business and ensure that the chosen business activity complies with Japanese laws and regulations.

If you plan to register a U.S. company / Singapore company / Japanese company / Thai company / Malaysian company / Canadian company / Mexican company / Brazilian company / British company / French company / New Zealand company / Vietnamese company / Indonesian company / and other foreign companies registered in the relevant business and financial services, or plan to register a Hong Kong company / Shenzhen company / Guangzhou company / Shanghai company / Hangzhou company / Beijing company / Hainan company and other domestic companies registered business services, the company annual audit audit / bookkeeping tax / payment of MPF / change of information / bank account opening / ODI filing / BVI registration / tax compliance / cross-border e-commerce accompanied by running on behalf of the operation of the enterprise one-stop service, you can add my WeChat (phone with V: 13045886252) at any time to consult the ↓↓↓↓ 

02 Process of registering a Japanese company (for non-Japanese residents)

1) Architecture Design

:: Determination of the company name (in accordance with the norms of the Japanese Companies Act);

:: Legal representative (whether or not residing in Japan);

:: Registered address (real office address);

:: The percentage of capital contribution and the content of the statute.

For foreign promoters who do not have residency status in Japan, the procedure of notarizing the signature or seal certificate in the country or region where they are located is required for the subsequent application for registration.

2) Certification of statutes

KK is required to submit the articles of association to a Japanese notary public for notarization and certification, which is a mandatory part of registration; GK can omit this procedure.

Foreigners are required to submit a "Certificate of Signature" instead of a "Certificate of Seal" for the establishment of a company, while Mainland Chinese are usually required to have their signatures notarized by an attorney and certified by the Japanese Consulate.

3) Injection of funds

Funds must be paid into a "Temporary Receipt Account" or a Japanese bank account in the sponsor's name, and a certificate of payment must be obtained from the bank.

4) Submit Registration

Submit the registration application to the Legal Affairs Bureau and obtain the Certificate of Incorporation and Certificate of Registration of Corporate Seal in about 10-15 working days.

5) Tax Declaration

Within two weeks of the completion of registration, the company must file with the tax office, local tax office, annuity office, etc., submitting information such as the lease contract, establishment prospectus, and representative's identification. Failure to file will be treated as an "unincorporated shell".

6) Bank account opening

It is difficult to open an account, and you need to prepare a complete business plan with proof of office space and other documents in advance.

After registration, you can get a full set of Japanese company information.

If you plan to register a U.S. company/Singapore company/Japanese company/Thailand company/Malaysia company/Canada company/Mexico company/Brazil company/Britain company/France company/New Zealand company/Vietnam company/Indonesia company/UAE company/Dubai company and other foreign company registration related business and finance and tax services, or plan to register a Hong Kong company/Shenzhen company/Guangzhou company/ Shanghai company / Hangzhou company / Beijing company / Hainan company and other domestic companies registered business services, the company annual audit audit / bookkeeping tax / payment of MPF / change of information / bank account / ODI filing / BVI registration / tax compliance / cross-border e-commerce accompanied by running on behalf of the operation of the enterprise one-stop service, you can add my WeChat (phone with V: 13045886252) at any time to consult ↓↓↓↓ 

03 Detailed information required for registration of a Japanese company

The following details must be provided at the time of company registration:

1) Articles of Incorporation (Fixed Paragraph):Bylaws should include the name of the company, the purpose of the company, registered capital, shareholder structure and board of directors information.

(2) Proof of identity of the legal representative:Provide a copy of the legal representative's passport and documentation proving residency.

3) Proof of business address:A copy of the lease agreement or real estate property certificate is required as proof of the business address.

4) Proof of funding of registered capital:Provide proof of bank deposits showing the actual deposit of the company's registered capital.

(5) Information on shareholders and directors:Basic personal information of all shareholders and directors, including name, nationality and address, is required.

6) Company seal:In Japan, companies are required to have their own seal (kanji), which is needed for the official signing of legal documents.

If you plan to register a U.S. company/Singapore company/Japanese company/Thailand company/Malaysia company/Canada company/Mexico company/Brazil company/Britain company/France company/New Zealand company/Vietnam company/Indonesia company/UAE company/Dubai company and other foreign company registration related business and finance and tax services, or plan to register a Hong Kong company/Shenzhen company/Guangzhou company/ Shanghai company / Hangzhou company / Beijing company / Hainan company and other domestic companies registered business services, the company annual audit audit / bookkeeping tax / payment of MPF / change of information / bank account / ODI filing / BVI registration / tax compliance / cross-border e-commerce accompanied by running on behalf of the operation of the enterprise one-stop service, you can add my WeChat (phone with V: 13045886252) at any time to consult ↓↓↓↓ 

04 Japanese Company Registration Fee Referencecost

It consists of three main components: government fees, professional service fees and additional service fees such as address.

1) Government fees and statutory costs:

Fixed-price certification fee: approximately 50,000-60,000 yen.

Stamp Duty on Registered Capital: Taxes vary depending on the amount of registered capital (e.g., for a capital of 10 million yen, a stamp duty of 40,000 yen).

Registration exemption tax at the Legal Affairs Bureau: 0.7% of capital (minimum 150,000 yen).

(2) Fee for professional agency services:

The service fees for commissioning administrative scribes and representative organizations vary greatly in terms of complexity and service content.

The market price of a standard package for a foreigner setting up a company is about 500,000 yen to 1,000,000 yen (about 25,000 to 50,000 yen).

3) Other necessary/optional costs:

Registered Address Rental: If you do not have a physical address in Japan, you will need to rent a legal business address at an annual fee of approximately 100,000-300,000 yen.

Japanese Representative Director Compensation: If you need to appoint a nominal Japanese representative director to fulfill legal requirements, annual compensation is required, which is a large ongoing expense.

Company seal fee: approximately 20,000-40,000 yen.

Bank account opening assistance fee: At present, Japanese banks are scrutinizing the account opening of new overseas companies strictly, and professional assistance in account opening may incur additional fees.

Total Estimate: For a standard corporation established by foreign natural person shareholders with a one-year address and basic services, the total initial setup costs (excluding registered capital) are usually in the range of 800,000 to 1,500,000 yen (approximately 40,000 to 75,000 RMB), but each case needs to be analyzed on a case-by-case basis, and the costs are not static.

Registering a company in Japan has its own complexities, but as long as you understand the requirements and processes involved, and prepare the necessary documents, you will be able to complete the registration successfully.

If you plan to register a U.S. company/Singapore company/Japanese company/Thailand company/Malaysia company/Canada company/Mexico company/Brazil company/Britain company/France company/New Zealand company/Vietnam company/Indonesia company/UAE company/Dubai company and other foreign company registration related business and finance and tax services, or plan to register a Hong Kong company/Shenzhen company/Guangzhou company/ Shanghai company / Hangzhou company / Beijing company / Hainan company and other domestic companies registered business services, the company annual audit audit / bookkeeping tax / payment of MPF / change of information / bank account / ODI filing / BVI registration / tax compliance / cross-border e-commerce accompanied by running on behalf of the operation of the enterprise one-stop service, you can add my WeChat (phone with V: 13045886252) at any time to consult ↓↓↓↓ 

05 Frequently Asked Questions about Registering a Japanese Company FAQ

1) Reference to frequently asked questions about registering a Japanese company:

Q1: What is the difference between KK Corporation (KK) and GK Corporation (GK)? Which one should I choose?

✅ K.K. (KK): ● Shareholders and directors can be separated, which is suitable for future financing and introduction of investors; ● High social creditworthiness, which makes it easier to pass the audit of banks/platforms; ● Representative directors (at least one) are required, and they can be foreigners.

✅ Contract Society (GK): ● Simple structure, low set-up cost, flexible profit sharing; ● However, the external image is "small", and some banks/platforms may reject it.

📌 Recommendation: If you plan to operate for a long period of time, apply for a business management visa, or interface with B-side customers, prioritize Co. 

Q2: I don't have a Japanese address, can I register a Japanese company?

● Yes, but you must use a compliant business registration address. ● We provide cooperative Tokyo/Osaka physical office address (with lease contract + landlord's consent), which meets the dual requirements of the Legal Affairs Bureau and banks; ❌ Residential addresses, virtual mailboxes, and friends' residential addresses are not accepted (shell companies will be strictly scrutinized from 2025 onwards). 

Q3: I am a Chinese national, can I be a legal representative of a Japanese company?

Yes, foreigners can hold shares in 100% and act as a representative director without the need for Japanese citizenship or permanent residence. If you wish to apply for a "Management Visa" in the future, you will need to fulfill conditions such as employees, office, and turnover. 

2) About Hague Certification and Translation

Q4: Why do Chinese documents need to be Hague Certified?

Since both China and Japan are members of the Hague Convention, official documents issued by China (e.g., business licenses, ID cards) must be endorsed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs before they can be recognized by official agencies (Legal Affairs Bureau, banks, etc.) in Japan. 

Q5:How long does it take to get certified by The Hague? Can it be expedited?

Normal process: 7-12 working days (3-5 days for provincial foreign affairs offices + 4-7 days for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs); ● Currently there is no official expedited channel, but we will prioritize submission and follow up the whole process to avoid delays in the return of materials.

 Q6: Who must do the translation?

Can I find a translator on my own? The Legal Affairs Bureau requires that translations be accompanied by a statement from the translator + contact information, and that the content be accurate and formatted in a standardized way; ● Ordinary translation agencies often return translations due to terminological errors (e.g., mistranslations of the term "legal representative");

✅ The interpreters we work with at Enterprise Caiying Group have a qualification recognized by the Japan Administrative Scrivener's Office, with a pass rate of 100%. 

Q7:Do I need to go to Japan to open a bank account for a Japanese company? Do I need to sign in person?

Not required! Full remote online account opening: ● Provide Japanese company registration documents + proof of legal identity + KYC questionnaire; ● Business plan and source of funds statement to enhance the pass rate. 

Q8: Is it a regular bank? Is it safe?

● CBI is a licensed financial institution in Singapore, regulated by MAS, and is legal to operate in Japan; ● Accounts support JPY, USD, RMB, and can be tied to Amazon JP, Stripe, PayPal, etc.

3) On cost and time

Q9: What is the total cost? Are there any hidden charges?

● JEI KAI 4-in-1 (single individual holding): 30,000+ (including registration fee, Hague certification agency, full set of translations, address hosting for the first year, and e-account);

● Japanese company worry-free start-up package (single company holding): 50,000+ (+ e-account opening service);

✅ All-inclusive price, no subsequent mandatory charges (stamp, fixed-price certification, government official fees, ODI, translation are included).

Q10: How long does it take from signing a contract to getting a corporate number?

● Average 20-30 working days Translation + Hague certification: 5-7 working days. Japanese company registration: 10-15 working days. Electronic account opening: 3-5 days (hassle-free package). 

Q11: Do I need to keep monthly accounts and file tax returns after company registration?

● You are required to file a corporate tax return every year even if you have no income; ● You are required to register for consumption tax and file quarterly returns if your annual sales exceed 10 million yen;

06 Why choose Enterprise Caiying Group?

🏆 Why choose Enterprise Finance? --Professional strength, global trust

Enterprise Caiying Group, since its establishment in 2015, has always been adhering to the mission of "empowering every entrepreneurial dream", focusing on providing one-stop globalized industry, commerce, finance and tax and business services for enterprises.

Our bottom line, from the deep precipitation and authoritative certification:

✅ Service Scale Witnesses Reputation: Accumulated services for more than 300,000+ enterprises, long-term cooperation with more than 50,000+ customers.

✅ Global Network Local Support: Branches are set up in Beijing, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Hong Kong, Southeast Asia, and the United States, with services covering Asia, Europe, and the Americas.

✅ Official certification qualification escort: with 3 Hong Kong government certified licensed secretarial firms, a U.S. branch and a self-employed Hong Kong accounting firm, and at the same time is the vice president of the Shenzhen Agency Bookkeeping Association, etc., to ensure that the service is fully compliant and reliable.

The four core advantages of Enterprise Caiying's overseas company registration service:

🔹 1. A team of experts to guide you throughout the process

Our team of nearly 400 professionals consists of senior lawyers, accountants, tax accountants and cross-border business consultants. They are well versed in international regulations, handle thousands of high-end cases annually, and can provide optimal customized solutions from structural design to on-the-ground implementation.

🔹 2. digitally empowered, smart and efficient

We have spent 20 million RMB to research and develop our own digital system "Echobo", which realizes process standardization and progress visualization. The integration of AI intelligent analysis can provide quick insight into demand and assist in generating solutions, making complex affairs clear, transparent and efficient.

🔹 3. Eco-links, extra value

We connect over 500,000+ entrepreneurs with domestic and international associations. By regularly organizing cross-border salons, tax law seminars and other activities, we not only solve registration problems, but are also committed to linking resources and creating business opportunities for you.

🔹 4. Full-cycle accompaniment for worry-free sailing

Our services go beyond "successful registration". We provide a full life cycle of services from early consultation, mid-term implementation, to late financial and tax declaration, annual audit and maintenance, and compliance consulting, to become your long-term and stable partner for overseas expansion.

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Image source: some of the image material in this article from the network, such as copyright issues, please contact us to replace the deletion of processing.

Information reference: The content of this article is synthesized from the internal materials of Enterprise Caiying and relevant public network information.

Content Editor: This article was edited and designed by the Operations Department of the Enterprise Caiying Group.

Warm reminder: The relevant policies, conditions, time limits, fees and other information described in this article may be subject to dynamic adjustments, please refer to the latest official announcements or the actual application of the specific circumstances prevail.

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