CORPORATE REGISTRATION & MAINTENANCE
Corporate Operations &
Commercial Registration in Japan
After incorporation, Japanese companies must register changes involving officers, capital, shares, the head office and other registered matters. A Japanese judicial scrivener provides direct support in English, Chinese and Japanese, including cases involving foreign shareholders, overseas parent companies and foreign-language documents.
Ongoing Corporate Registration After Incorporation
1
Officer Changes and Reappointments
We register appointments, resignations and reappointments of directors, representative directors, auditors and other officers, including matters involving term expiry and officers residing overseas.
2
Capital and Share Procedures
We support capital increases through new share issues, capital reductions, share splits, share transfers and related procedures, from corporate resolutions through registration.
3
Corporate Changes, Dissolution and Liquidation
We handle head-office relocations, changes to company names and business purposes, reorganizations, dissolution and liquidation, and changes or closure of Japanese branches.Please be mindful of statutory registration deadlines.
Changes such as officer appointments and head-office relocations generally must be registered within two weeks. For foreign-owned companies, obtaining overseas approvals and preparing signed documents may take time, so early consultation is recommended.
Key Services
| Officer Changes | Appointments, resignations, retirements and reappointments of directors, representative directors and auditors, as well as changes of name or address. We also assist foreign and overseas-resident officers. |
|---|---|
| Share Splits and Share Matters | Share splits, changes to authorized shares, share transfers and corporate procedures arising from changes in shareholder structure. |
| Capital Increases | Third-party allotments, shareholder allotments and new share issues funded by cash or in-kind contributions, from preparing resolutions through filing the registration. |
| Capital Reductions | We manage shareholder resolutions, creditor-protection procedures, public notices and the registration schedule required for a reduction of stated capital. |
| Head Office, Company Name and Purposes | Head-office relocations, company-name changes, additions or amendments to business purposes, public-notice methods and related amendments and registrations. |
| Corporate Reorganization | Mergers, company splits, share exchanges and transfers, entity conversions and other reorganizations, coordinated with relevant professionals. |
| Dissolution and Liquidation | A full sequence of Companies Act procedures, including dissolution, appointment of liquidators, creditor notices and registration of completion of liquidation. |
| Foreign Companies and Japanese Branches | Changes to representatives in Japan, relocation of Japanese offices, registration of changes to the overseas head office and closure of Japanese branches. |
Key Considerations for Foreign-Owned Companies
Overseas Approvals and Signing Authority
Where a Japanese company is owned by a foreign corporation, we confirm the required overseas approvals and signing authority and prepare documents that satisfy Japanese registration requirements.Foreign-Language Documents and Authentication
For corporate certificates, affidavits, signature certificates and similar documents, we determine the translation, notarization and authentication requirements for each matter.Coordination with Related Procedures
We also identify related administrative procedures, including FEFTA filings for capital or shareholder changes and immigration implications of officer changes.From Consultation to Completed Registration
1
Initial Inquiry
Tell us the proposed change and your preferred timing.
2
Preliminary Review
We review the articles, corporate registry, shareholders and officers.
3
Plan and Fee Estimate
We explain the required documents, deadlines and fees.
4
Documents and Resolutions
We prepare minutes and other documents and coordinate signing.
5
Registration Filing
We file with the Legal Affairs Bureau and deliver the completed documents.Why Clients Choose SEIWA LEGAL OFFICE
Direct Support by a Judicial Scrivener
A licensed judicial scrivener handles your matter directly, integrating Companies Act procedures with commercial registration from start to finish.Direct Support in Three Languages
We communicate directly in English, Chinese and Japanese with overseas headquarters, foreign officers and Japan-based personnel.Ongoing Support After Incorporation
Beyond one-time registrations, we provide ongoing support informed by officer terms and future capital plans.Frequently Asked Questions
Is registration required when the same officer continues after the end of the term?
Yes. A reappointment must be registered even when the same person continues. We review the articles and registry and advise on the term and required resolutions.Can a foreign national residing overseas serve as representative director?
This is generally possible for registration purposes, but signature certificates and the impact on banking, immigration status and business operations must be reviewed individually.How long do capital increases and reductions take?
Timing for an increase depends on the method and document preparation. A reduction generally requires a creditor-protection period of at least one month, so advance planning is important.Does a share split itself require registration?
Yes. A share split changes the number of issued shares and must be registered. We also check consistency with the authorized number of shares in the articles.The information above is general and does not guarantee the outcome of any individual matter. Specific procedures will be advised after reviewing the company’s articles and registered information.