Asia · Godo Kaisha (GK) / Kabushiki Kaisha (KK)
Japan Company Formation 2026
Filing $420 · Annual $0 · Corp tax 23.2% · Banking 9/10
The numbers
| Entity type | Godo Kaisha (GK) / Kabushiki Kaisha (KK) |
|---|---|
| Filing fee (one-off) | $420 |
| Annual government fee | $0 |
| Registered agent / corp. secretary | Not required |
| Headline corporate tax | 23.2% |
| Effective tax notes | National 23.2% + local resident + enterprise = ~30% effective for large; ~22% SME. |
| VAT / GST / sales tax | 10% |
| Minimum paid-up capital | Nominal |
| Processing time | 14 business days |
| Remote formation | In-person typically required |
| UBO public | No (private register) |
| Banking accessibility | 9/10 |
| Privacy score | 5/10 |
| Stripe | ✅ Available |
| PayPal Business | ✅ |
| Wise Business | ✅ |
Why people choose Japan
- Stable economy
- Strong IP protection
Trade-offs to know
- Resident representative often required
- Complex bilingual filings
- Notary required for KK
Who Japan is best for
- Japanese market
- Tech/manufacturing
GK (LLC-like) is faster and cheaper than KK. GK filing JPY 60k stamp + JPY 90k registration tax.
Authoritative sources
Japan official business registry / authorityFees last verified against the source: 2026-05-15
Other commonly compared Asia jurisdictions
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to form a company in Japan?
The state/registry filing fee is approximately $420. Annual maintenance is approximately $0.
What is the corporate tax rate in Japan?
Japan's headline corporate income tax rate is 23.2%. National 23.2% + local resident + enterprise = ~30% effective for large; ~22% SME.
Can a non-resident form a company in Japan?
Remote formation in Japan is typically limited; in-person presence or a local representative is usually required.
Is Stripe available for Japan companies?
Yes, Stripe supports businesses incorporated in Japan.
What is the minimum paid-up capital?
Effectively none — companies can be formed with a nominal $1 of share capital.