Kabushiki Kaisha (KK) Incorporation in Japan
Set up a Japanese stock company with clear English support for shareholders, directors, articles, notarization, capital payment and registration.
What Is a Kabushiki Kaisha?
A Kabushiki Kaisha (KK) is a Japanese stock company. Shareholders own shares and their liability is generally limited to the subscription price of those shares.
Directors manage the company, but a privately held, transfer-restricted KK can start with one director and no board. A KK is often considered when share issuance, outside investment or formal shareholder governance matters.
Read the complete KK guide
Are You Inside or Outside Japan?
Your location affects signature evidence, shareholder documents, the capital-payment route and the practical arrangements needed after registration.
Inside Japan
We align your residence status and planned role with the shareholder, director and capital-payment documents available in Japan.
- Share subscribers, directors and representative authority
- Registered address, seals or signature evidence
- Capital payment and post-registration planning
Outside Japan
All representative directors may live outside Japan, but overseas-led KKs need an approved signature-evidence and capital-payment route before filing.
- Foreign individual or corporate subscriber evidence
- Affidavits, signature certificates and translations
- Banking, office, visa and tax arrangements planned separately
Is a KK Right for Your Business?
Choose the structure that fits how you will issue ownership, make decisions, raise capital and present the company to stakeholders.
A KK May Suit You If
- You plan to issue shares or bring in outside shareholders
- You need formal shareholder voting and ownership records
- Investors or major stakeholders expect a familiar stock-company form
- You may add directors or a board as the company grows
Compare a GK If
- The business will remain closely held and owner-managed
- You want lower statutory setup costs
- You do not need shares or share classes
- You prefer member decisions governed flexibly through the articles
KK Versus GK
Compare KK and GKSix Steps to Incorporate a KK
This is the standard founder-led route. The exact documents depend on the subscribers, directors, location and capital-payment method.
- 1
Define the Company
Name, head office, purposes, capital, shares, subscribers and directors.
- 2
Prepare Evidence
Identity, corporate records, signatures, affidavits and translations as needed.
- 3
Notarize the Articles
A Japanese notary authenticates the articles and receives the beneficial-owner declaration.
- 4
Pay the Capital
Complete the approved payment route and retain the required evidence.
- 5
File the Registration
Confirm the officer appointments and submit the completed package to the Legal Affairs Bureau.
- 6
Complete Next Steps
Obtain certificates and plan tax, banking, office, payroll and insurance work.
What SmartStart Handles
We coordinate the KK incorporation work and give you a clear action plan for the steps that follow.
- KK structure and articles coordinatedWe map subscribers, shares, director authority, transfer restrictions and the information required in the articles.
- Overseas-led setups mapped clearlyWe identify corporate records, signature certificates, affidavits, translations and the workable capital-payment route before filing.
- Registration and next steps separatedCompany registration, visa status and bank approval are different processes. We coordinate the filing and map the connected work that follows.
Plan the Cost and Timing
Separate SmartStart's service quote from registration tax, articles authentication and any paper, translation or operational costs.
KK Service Fee
SmartStart's current KK incorporation quote starts from JPY 275,000. Tax treatment, scope and any additional overseas-document work must be confirmed in the written quote.
- Registration tax: 0.7% of capital, minimum JPY 150,000
- Articles authentication: normally JPY 30,000–50,000 by capital band
- JPY 15,000 applies only to formations meeting every reduced-fee condition
- Paper articles can add stamp duty; electronic articles avoid that paper stamp
Preparation and Filing Schedule
There is no single end-to-end timeframe. We confirm the schedule after reviewing the subscribers, directors, articles, foreign evidence and capital-payment route.
- Availability of original documents and signatures
- Articles preparation, beneficial-owner declaration and notary appointment
- Capital payment and registration evidence
- Banking and visa applications follow separate timelines
Plan for Visa, Banking, Office and Tax
KK registration is one part of the setup. Each connected area has its own requirements and approval process.
“They guided me step by step through the incorporation process. They offered options and suggested what I would and wouldn't need… knowing I can ask them is helping me focus on what I do best and leave the rest to them.”
Talk Through Your Japan Setup
Talk to SmartStartFrequently Asked Questions
These answers are general. A consultation can map them to your shareholders, directors, location and operating plan.
Read the detailed KK guideCan a foreigner incorporate a KK in Japan?
Yes. Foreign individuals or companies can own 100% of a Japanese KK. Depending on the investor, business sector and transaction, Foreign Exchange and Foreign Trade Act reporting or prior notification may apply. Ownership does not itself grant permission to live or work in Japan.
Does a KK automatically qualify me for a visa?
No. Incorporating a company and obtaining a status of residence are separate processes with different requirements.
Must a KK representative director live in Japan?
Japan does not generally require a KK representative director to reside in Japan. Banking, office, signatures, identity evidence and operating arrangements still need to be planned carefully for an overseas-led company.
Is a KK always better for raising investment?
No. A KK can issue shares and is familiar to equity investors, but investor fit depends on the share terms, transfer restrictions, governance, financing plan and future transactions.
How much does KK incorporation cost?
SmartStart's current quote starts from JPY 275,000, subject to confirmed scope and tax treatment. Separate statutory costs include registration tax of 0.7% of capital with a JPY 150,000 minimum and the applicable articles-authentication fee. Paper articles, certified copies, seals and foreign-document work can add further costs.
What happens after registration?
Typical next steps include obtaining registry certificates, filing national and local tax notifications, opening the corporate bank account and completing any payroll, labor-insurance, social-insurance, visa or licensing work that applies. JETRO states that the national tax notification of incorporation is generally due within two months.
Ready to Discuss Your KK Setup?
Tell us where you are, who will own and manage the company, and what support you need.