Japan Company Establishment Foreigner Cost: Complete Guide 2025

When establishing a company in Japan, the most concerning issue for foreigners is the cost. As of 2025, various expenses are incurred for foreigners establishing a company in Japan. Accurately understanding the wide range of costs, such as capital, registration fees, accountant fees, and registration fees to the Legal Affairs Bureau, is the first step to a successful company establishment. This article provides a detailed explanation of the costs incurred when a foreigner establishes a company in Japan, and we recommend using Visa Tool (C041) to simultaneously check the possibility of obtaining a visa.

Basic Cost Structure When Establishing a Company in Japan

The basic costs when establishing a company in Japan are mainly composed of the following items. Firstly, "Capital," secondly, "Registration Fees," thirdly, "Accountant Fees," and fourthly, "Registration Fees to the Legal Affairs Bureau." These costs vary depending on the size and type of company, but generally, a minimum of approximately 500,000 to 1,000,000 yen is required.

Regarding capital, as of 2025, it is possible to establish a company with even 1 yen. However, in practice, if the purpose is to obtain a visa, it is recommended to prepare a minimum of 5,000,000 yen or more in capital. This is because sufficient business funds are required as a requirement for obtaining a business manager visa.

Regarding registration fees, a registration license tax of 150,000 yen (in the case of a stock company) is required to the Legal Affairs Bureau. In addition, a certification fee of approximately 50,000 yen is required for the articles of incorporation. These costs are inevitably incurred when establishing a company. In order to confirm accurate cost calculation and the possibility of obtaining a visa, it is recommended to consult with a specialist.

Foreigner-Specific Costs and Points to Note

When a foreigner establishes a company in Japan, additional costs that differ from those of Japanese citizens may be incurred. Firstly, "Visa Application Fees," secondly, "Status of Residence Change Fees," thirdly, "Translation and Interpretation Fees," and fourthly, "International Money Transfer Fees." These costs are unique to foreigners and must be added to the total cost of establishing a company.

Regarding visa application fees, a fee of approximately 4,000 to 8,000 yen is required for applying for a business manager visa. In addition, regarding status of residence change fees, if you are already residing in Japan, a status of residence change application fee of approximately 4,000 yen is required. These costs are not necessarily incurred when establishing a company, but they are inevitably incurred if the purpose is to obtain a visa.

Regarding translation and interpretation fees, translation of necessary documents and interpretation fees at the Legal Affairs Bureau and tax office may be incurred. These costs vary depending on Japanese language ability, but generally, it is recommended to budget approximately 100,000 to 300,000 yen. To confirm accurate cost calculation and the possibility of obtaining a visa, we recommend using Visa Tool (C041).

Latest Trends and Cost-Saving Tips for Company Establishment Costs in 2025

Company establishment costs in 2025 tend to decrease as some procedures can be done online due to the progress of digitalization. However, on the other hand, accountant and judicial scrivener fees tend to increase because demand for highly specialized services is growing.

Points to save costs include, firstly, "Do what you can do yourself," secondly, "Use only the services you need," and thirdly, "Get quotes from multiple experts." In particular, by creating articles of incorporation and application forms for registration yourself, it is possible to save tens to hundreds of thousands of yen.

However, if the purpose is to obtain a visa, it is essential to seek advice from a specialist. Inaccurate documents and procedural errors can lead to the failure of a visa application, so we strongly recommend consulting with a specialist. By receiving advice from a specialist, you can successfully establish a company and obtain a visa while saving costs.

Summary

When establishing a company in Japan, the most concerning issue for foreigners is the cost. Basic costs include capital, registration fees, accountant fees, and registration fees to the Legal Affairs Bureau. Foreigner-specific costs include visa application fees, status of residence change fees, translation and interpretation fees, and international money transfer fees. Company establishment costs in 2025 tend to decrease due to the progress of digitalization, but by receiving advice from a specialist, you can successfully establish a company and obtain a visa while saving costs.

First, Free Visa Eligibility Check

If you are considering establishing a company in Japan and obtaining a visa, we recommend that you first receive a free visa eligibility check. Experts will analyze your situation in detail and provide you with accurate cost calculations and the possibility of obtaining a visa.

First, Free Visa Eligibility Check