Starting a business
Can I start a secondhand shop in Japan as a foreigner?
Yes, but this is not just ordinary company formation. Secondhand and pawn businesses are regulated by police-administered licensing/AML rules; the applicable secondhand dealer or pawn-business permission must be obtained before regulated operations. You must satisfy that sector requirement before operating, in addition to ordinary company, tax, premises and immigration rules.
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What you need to know
Requirements & exceptions
- Ownership and permission to personally work/manage are separate.
- Regulated industries need the relevant license before operation.
Documents
- Identity documents
- Business plan
- Company documents
- Premises/license documents where required
Likely cost
Costs depend on entity registration, premises, capital, sector license and professional support.
Where to act
Legal Affairs Bureau + sector regulator; Immigration separately if residence status is involved.