Supporting Your Business in Japan's Financial Markets

Supporting Your
Business in Japan's
Financial Markets

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Why Japan

What You Need to Know
to Start and Run a Financial Organization
in Japan

There are several steps and registration procedures necessary to establish a financial company in Japan, and there are other requirements and processes to complete after registration too. Learn more about them here.

Registration Procedure

The general flow of the procedure to register as a financial instruments business is outlined below. Support in English is available at every step from the Financial Market Entry Office (FMEO).

  • 1

    Prior
    consultation

    During prior consultation, FMEO confirms the business model and explains the type of registration required.

    Prior consultation

  • Preparation of documents

    2

    Preparation of
    documents

    FMEO checks all application documents and the contents of required supplementary documents.

  • 3

    Submission of
    registration application

    After all documents have been carefully checked, the applicant submits the documents. Please note that the license tax must be paid.

    Submission of registration application

  • Issuance of notice of completion

    4

    Issuance of notice of
    completion

    Successful applicants will receive a notice of completion one to two months on average after submitting their documents.

  • 5

    Joining a self-regulatory
    organization

    The next step is to register with a self-regulatory organization and implement ADR measures.

    Joining a self-regulatory organization

  • Commencement of operations

    6

    Commencement of
    operations

    After completing these procedures, the company is legally able to commence operations in Japan.

  • Approx. 3-4 months

    Approx. 3-4 months

  • Approx. 1-2 months

    Approx. 1-2 months

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Financial Market
Entry Office

The Financial Market Entry Office (FMEO) provides support with all regulatory processes, from pre-application consultation and registration to supervision after registration, to overseas financial companies entering the Japan market. All communication and support can be provided in English.

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Financial Start-Up Support Program

  • English Support and Rebate of Costs: Banking, Financial License Application, Compliance Officer Recruitment, Visa Application, Incorporation

    INITIAL SET UP SUPPORT

  • English Support: Corporate: Legal, Back Office; Livelihood: Immigration, Housing, Schools, Healthcare

    ONGOING SUPPORT

A program initiated by the Financial Services Agency of Japan that focuses on providing a simplified, low-cost market entry process and “one-stop” access to a broad set of English support and consultation services.
*The implementation period of the Program ends on March 31, 2024.

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Success Stories

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Materials and Information

Multilingual
Professional Services

Professional business support is essential for setting up a company and settling in Japan. Here, you can search for professionals that offer their professional services in foreign languages. Information about medical facilities and international schools is also available.

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Other Support