Legal Support in Japan for Foreign Individuals and Overseas Companies
SEIWA LEGAL OFFICE assists foreign individuals, entrepreneurs and overseas companies with legal and administrative procedures in Japan. Our services include company formation, commercial and real estate registration, immigration procedures, business licences, FEFTA filings and inheritance-related matters.
Emi Suehiro, a Japanese Judicial Scrivener, Administrative Scrivener and Real Estate Transaction Specialist, handles consultations directly in English, Chinese and Japanese. We explain the relevant procedures, required documents, costs and expected steps in clear language, taking account of each client’s circumstances.
Our Legal Services
1. Company Formation and Commercial Registration
We assist entrepreneurs and overseas companies establishing and operating a business presence in Japan. Where shareholders or directors reside outside Japan, we also explain the documents and signature certifications that may need to be prepared overseas.
- Formation of a Kabushiki Kaisha (KK) or Godo Kaisha (GK)
- Registration of a foreign company’s representative or branch in Japan
- Articles of incorporation, corporate purpose and governance structure
- Changes of directors, registered office, company name or business purposes
- Capital increases and reductions, shares and stock acquisition rights
- Mergers, company splits, reorganisations, dissolution and liquidation
We consider the relationship between registration, the planned business, funding and immigration requirements so that the procedures are carried out in an appropriate order.
2. Immigration and Status of Residence
As an authorised immigration application agent, Emi Suehiro assists individuals and employers with applications relating to residence and employment in Japan.
- Certificate of Eligibility
- Change of Status of Residence
- Extension of Period of Stay
- Business Manager and other work-related statuses
- Permanent Residence applications
- Immigration procedures for employers hiring foreign nationals
Approval cannot be guaranteed. We review the facts and supporting evidence, identify issues that require explanation, and prepare an application that presents the circumstances consistently and accurately. Personal attendance or additional documents may still be requested by the authorities.
3. Business Licences and Administrative Procedures
We help determine whether a licence or permit is required for the intended business and assist with the application and supporting documents. We can also coordinate the sequence of company formation, immigration and licensing procedures.
- Review of licence and permit requirements
- Preparation and submission of applications
- Post-approval notifications, amendments and renewals
- Applications by foreign-owned companies
4. FEFTA Filings for Inbound Investment
An investment by a foreign investor in a Japanese company may require prior notification or a post-transaction report under Japan’s Foreign Exchange and Foreign Trade Act (FEFTA). We review the investor, target company, business sector, ownership ratio and proposed timing to identify the relevant filing requirements.
Where appropriate, we coordinate FEFTA filings with company formation, capital increases, share acquisitions and the related commercial registration timetable.
5. Real Estate Registration
We handle registrations arising from real estate transactions, gifts, inheritance and financing. For foreign nationals and Japanese citizens living overseas, we explain identification requirements, signature certificates and documents that may need to be prepared outside Japan.
- Registration of ownership following a purchase, gift or inheritance
- Creation, amendment and discharge of mortgages
- Inheritance registration
- Transactions involving a party residing outside Japan
6. Inheritance and Cross-Border Matters
We assist with confirming heirs, collecting Japanese family-register documents, preparing inheritance-related documents and registering inherited real estate. Matters involving assets or heirs in more than one country may require confirmation of foreign law or cooperation with professionals in the relevant jurisdiction.
Detailed Guides to Our Core Services
For more detailed information, please see the following service guides. Consultations are handled directly in English, Chinese or Japanese.
- Company Formation in Japan for Foreign Founders and Overseas Companies
- Business Manager Visa and Company Formation
- Japanese Real Estate and Property Registration for Foreign Clients
- FEFTA Filings for Foreign Investment in Japan
- Cross-Border Inheritance involving Foreign or Naturalised Persons
Why Clients Choose SEIWA
- Three professional qualifications: Judicial Scrivener, Administrative Scrivener and Real Estate Transaction Specialist.
- Direct communication in three languages: English, Chinese and Japanese.
- Connected advice: company, immigration, registration, licensing and real estate procedures are considered together where relevant.
- Support from overseas: online consultations are available for clients outside Japan.
- Clear explanations: we explain the scope of work, required documents, fees and anticipated steps before commencing an engagement.
Representative
Emi Suehiro
- Judicial Scrivener — Tokyo Registration No. 09781; certified for summary court representation, Certification No. 2401038; member of the Tokyo Shiho-Shoshi Lawyer’s Association
- Administrative Scrivener — Registration No. 21081511; authorised immigration application agent; member of the Tokyo Gyoseishoshi Lawyers Association
- Real Estate Transaction Specialist
Languages and Professional Background
Chinese is Emi’s native language (Mandarin), and she also understands Cantonese. She provides services in English (TOEIC 925) and Japanese. Before entering legal practice, she worked in overseas sales and investor relations for a listed company and completed the simultaneous interpreting course at Simul Academy. This background supports clear communication across languages and business cultures.
Office Information
| Office | SEIWA LEGAL OFFICE Judicial Scrivener & Administrative Scrivener Office |
|---|---|
| Representative | Emi Suehiro |
| Address | Room 2909, 2-22-1 Nishi-Nippori, Arakawa-ku, Tokyo 116-0013, Japan |
| Telephone | +81-3-3891-4088 |
| Languages | English, Chinese and Japanese |
| Business Hours | Monday–Friday, 10:00–18:00 (Japan time) |
| Online Consultation | Available |
How to Engage Our Services
- Contact us: briefly describe your matter, preferred language and any relevant deadline.
- Initial review: we confirm the facts, your objectives and the procedures that may be required.
- Scope and fee proposal: we explain the proposed work, documents, fees and anticipated timetable.
- Engagement and preparation: after receiving your instructions, we prepare and submit documents within the agreed scope.
- Completion: we report the outcome and explain any documents or further steps.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I consult you while I am outside Japan?
Yes. Online consultations are available. Depending on the procedure, original documents, identity verification or documents issued overseas may be required.
Can you assist with both company formation and a Business Manager application?
Yes. These procedures are closely connected. We review the business activities, office, capital and management structure and consider the appropriate sequence. The immigration authority decides each application on its individual merits.
Do you guarantee approval or completion?
No. Administrative approvals and immigration decisions cannot be guaranteed. After reviewing the matter, we explain the scope of assistance, known issues and documents that will be required.
How much will the service cost and how long will it take?
Fees and timing depend on the procedure, the parties involved and the available documents. We provide a fee proposal and anticipated timetable after the initial review.
Discuss Your Matter with a Multilingual Legal Professional
Contact us in English, Chinese or Japanese regarding company formation, immigration, registration, licensing, FEFTA, real estate or inheritance matters in Japan.