Starting a business
Can I register a company without a Japanese address?
Not for an ordinary Japanese company registration: the company needs a registrable Japanese head-office address.
VerifiedPrimary topic verifiedLast checked: 18 Aug 2026
What you need to know
Requirements & exceptions
- The founder can live overseas, but the company's registered head office must be in Japan.
- A qualifying virtual/coworking address may be usable if the provider permits registration.
- Licensing, banking and Business Manager immigration rules can demand more substance than registry law alone.
Documents
- Identity documents
- Company/business plan documents
- Corporate registration documents where applicable
Likely cost
Company setup costs depend on structure and filings: registration tax, notarization where required, certificates, professional fees and initial capital are separate. Use JETRO/Legal Affairs Bureau figures for the chosen entity.
Where to act
Legal Affairs Bureau for corporate registration; tax offices and sector-specific licensing authority as applicable; Immigration separately if residence status is involved.