Japan Virtual Office & Japan Registered Address Services

JTAX Offers a Comprehensive Range of Japan Virtual Office & Japan Registered Address Services.

Japan Virtual Office & Japan Registered Address Service: Overview

JTAX offers a full range of Japan virtual office and Japan registered address solutions to its clients in Japan. JTAX owns the premises through which we offer our Japan Virtual Office and Registered Address Service. This fact ensures long term stability of the address.

At a minimum, establishing a company in Japan requires a local registered address. Beyond satisfying this minimum legal requirement, JTAX can assist with virtual offices and serviced offices.

Please Contact Us for more information about our Japan Virtual Office & Japan Registered Address Service.

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Japan Virtual Office & Japan Registered Address Service - FAQ

What is the Difference between a Legal Registered Address and a Business Address?

A Japanese company (including a Japan Branch of Foreign Company and a Japan Representative Office) is required to have a Japan registered address. That legal registered address in Japan appears on the company’s official certificate of registered particulars (“tokibo tohon”) and is therefore a matter of public record. This legal registered address may or may not be the same as the address where the company is actually doing business in Japan.


The business address is simply the regular address at which a company conducts business. It would typically be the address at which employees worked and where mail / courier packages are delivered. Unlike the legal registered address, the business address is not a matter of public record.


JTAX owns the office through which we offer our Japan Registered Address Service. This ensures long term stability.

What is the Significance of a Company’s Legal “Registered Address” in Japan?

All Japanese companies (this includes Japan Branches of Foreign Companies and Japan Representative Offices)are required to have a legal registered address in Japan. The Japan legal registered address is important for a number of reasons including:


a. For Kabushiki Kaisha (“KK”), Godo Kaisha (“GK”), and Japan Branches of Foreign Companies, it is the address that will appear on the certificate of registered particulars (“tokibo tohon”). This is a publicly available document.


b. It is the address to which the majority of official correspondence will be sent. .


For example, tax related documents, and communications from other Japanese government agencies, will be sent by default to the Japan registered address. .


c. It is the address to which legal documents(for example related to the commencement of court proceedings) will be sent. .


It is important choose a legal registered address carefully since changing the legal registered address is expensive (several thousand USD) and time consuming (at least one month.) JTAX owns the office through which we offer our Japan Registered Address Service. This ensures long term stability.

Our Employees Work from Home or Are Mainly on the Road. Do we Need a Regular Business Office in Japan?

In many countries, companies are moving to “lean operations” and Japan is no exception. Lean operations mean that employees are highly connected but there is no office that employees report to on a daily basis. .


However, in Japan,a regular business office may still be important for the following reasons: .


a. Japan Work Visa Applications.


An important requirement for obtaining a Japan work visa is demonstrating a functioning business office in Japan. Virtual offices (discussed below) are generally not acceptable for this purpose. .


b. Japanese Statutory Benefits Schemes.


Japanese employees enjoy a number of important statutory compensation benefits. These benefits include Labor Insurance which provides workers with unemployment insurance and accident insurance. In order for a Japanese company to enroll in the Labor Insurance scheme, it will need to demonstrate a functioning business office in Japan.

What are Some of the Practical Issues to Be Considered Regarding Offices and Addresses in Japan?

From a practical viewpoint, it is important to decide how the following functions will be handled in Japan:


a. Receiving mail/ courier packages.


b. Receiving phone calls/ taking messages.


c. Work space for employees.


d. Space to meet with clients.


JTAX is happy to discuss cost effective solutions to all of the above requirements.

What Problems Do Foreign Companies Face when Trying to Lease a Regular Office in Japan?

Once a Japan entity (i.e., a Kabushiki Kaisha {“KK”), Godo Kaisha (“GK”), or Japan Branch of a Foreign Company) has been established, it may be possible to lease a regular office. Problems that are often encountered when leasing an office in Japan include:


a. Cost : In addition to monthly rent and general office running expenses, there are other significant outlays including:


i. Security deposit : Funds are held by the landlord as security against damage or unpaid rent. Security deposits may be the equivalent of six months (or more) base rent.


ii. Key money : This is a traditional non-refundable “gift” to the building owner. It is typically the equivalent of one or two month’s base rent.


iii. Moving-out charges Regardless of the quality of any improvements the tenant has made to the premises, the tenant is required to bring the office back to white wall upon terminating the lease.


iv. Lease renewal charge : Upon each renewal of the lease (often this will occur every two years), the tenant is required to pay a renewal fee equal to one month of rent.


b. It is difficult to find English speaking landlords / realtors

Are Serviced Offices Popular Amongst Foreign Companies in Japan?

Serviced offices are an increasingly popular option for foreign companies doing business in Japan. :


Serviced offices provide a plug and play service. This means the client pays a fixed monthly fee which covers all the basic requirements (e.g., internet, phone answering, furniture, etc.) :


The main perceived drawback of serviced offices can be cost, but this is offset by flexibility. An advantage of serviced offices is that they may acceptable for Japan work visa purposes. :


JTAX can provide serviced office solutions in many areas of Japan. :

Are Virtual Offices Popular Amongst Foreign Companies in Japan?

A virtual office is similar to a serviced office in that it provides many basic office functions -- phone answering, voice mail, mail receiving / forwarding, etc. However,in contrast to a serviced office,there is no physical office space associated with a virtual office. :


Virtual offices work well if employees will be working from home or if they will be mainly on the road. Virtual offices project a professional image while keeping costs low. :


Virtual offices are generally not acceptable for Japanese work visa purposes. :


JTAX can offer a variety of virtual office solutions and JTAX owns the office through which we offer our Japan Virtual Service. :

Virtual offices work well if employees will be working from home or if they will be mainly on the road. Virtual offices project a professional image while keeping costs low. Virtual offices are generally not acceptable for Japanese work visa purposes. JTAX can offer a variety of virtual office solutions and JTAX owns the office through which we offer our Japan Virtual Service.
Is it Possible to Use a Combination of a Regular Office, a Serviced Office, and a Virtual Office?

For some clients it makes sense to use a combination of the above solutions. The required office functions are split in the most cost-effective and efficient manner. By way of example:


a. A regular office (in a reasonably priced location) is used as a work space by employees and to meet any storage requirements. :


b. A virtual office service provide sa professional phone answering service. This avoids the need to hire a dedicated employee for phone answering / message taking.


c. A serviced office is used for important client meetings where image is important.