To start business in Japan�
Company Formation
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When a foreign�firm engages in business activity in Japan it is necessary to establish a branch or a subsidiary company (Japanese corporation). The�set up�of�a branch is the simplest method for�a foreign firm to set up the base of the business operation.�The business can be started after deciding on the location and the representative & the registration can be done. The branch is meant to be set up to do business, which the parent company is doing and is not supposed to engage in activities unrelated to parent company business. According to law branch is not a legal entity in itself but it is treated as a part of foreign company. Finally, the responsibility of debts and credits generally generated from the activity of the branch will belong directly to the foreign firm. After that an bank�account can be set up in the name of the branch and property and office space can be rented.�

�A A subsidiary company ( Japanese corporation）
According to company law in Japan When a foreign company wants to setup business it is necessary to establish a limited liability co. or Joint stock corporation. Members with unlimited liability are jointly and severally liable without limitation to the company` creditors, while the liability of members of limited liability to the company creditors is limited to their contributions of capital. So they have to choose. After deciding about which type of company is to be setup according to legal procedures company registration & establishment can be done. After that a subsidiary company has a legal entity (duties & liabilities) of its own separated from its parent company.
After establishment of a company, company` s working areas and investment with respect to Japan, capital, participation method etc. is to be decided.

General Flow of setting up company

Notification of Authorities (necessary immediately after start up)

Types of Social Insurance

Child Care Benefits

There are two benefits paid, one during the leave period (Maternity leave basic pay) and the e other at the time of returning to work. The benefits are paid to the insured person who is taking maternity leave to take care of a child less than 1 year old (1.5 years old if extension is granted). The following conditions apply.

Forgetting something that belongs to you

〈Q〉A foreigner enrolled in National Health Insurance in Japan goes back to his/her home country. Is there any way for him/her to get money back?
〈Answer〉　When a foreign resident who paid premium for 6 months or longer for national pension or employees` pension leaves Japan a foreigner can get a lump sum pension refund. The amount of refund varies depending on how long the premiums were paid. Inquire at the regional social insurance bureau for further information such as papers required for the refund. You can apply for the refund with in 2 years after you leave Japan. Send the papers required for the refund to the social insurance operation centre in Tokyo, if you apply from abroad.

〈Q〉A foreigner enrolled in Employee Health Insurance in Japan goes back to his/her home country. Is there any way for him/her to get money back.?
〈A〉When a foreign resident who paid premium for 6 months or longer for national pension or employees` pension leaves Japan, he or she can get a Withdrawal of lump sum pension refund. The amount of refund varies depending on how long the premiums were paid.
You cannot apply for this refund (called the "Lump-Sum Withdrawal Payment") until after you leave Japan. The money is also subject to Japanese income tax (20%), but you may not know that you can also get this back. Although the forms can be obtained while in Japan, they must be filed from overseas after you have left. To be eligible to apply for the refund, you must meet the following conditions:

1. You do not possess Japanese citizenship
2. You have paid Employees' Pension Insurance premiums for six months or more
3. You do not have a place of residence in Japan
4. You never have qualified for pension benefits (including Disability Allowance)

In order to claim the benefit, you must attach the following documents with your application:

〈Q〉At the time of unemployment if the person has membership of employment insurance plan, can he/she get the unemployment allowance?
〈A〉When people who have been enrolled in employment insurance quit their job they should go to the Public Employment Security Office ("Hello Work") to apply for another job, search and then carry out the procedures for receiving unemployment benefit.。

In order to receive an unemployment benefit, you must fulfill the following conditions:

Flowchart of procedures for establishment of operations in Japan and acquisition of visa/status of residence The following diagram depicts the sequence of procedures that are typically completed in order to establish and register the establishment of a new operation in Japan (subsidiary company or branch office) represented by a foreign national, along with the procedures for acquisition of a visa and status of residence.

The countries listed on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan have concluded reciprocal visa exemption arrangements with Japan, and nationals of these countries wishing to engage in activities that fall within the scope of a temporary visitor are not required to receive a visa to enter Japan. However, these visa exemption arrangements will naturally not apply to foreign nationals intending to work or engage in other activities for compensation.

>>List of countries that have VISA exemption arrangements with Japan (the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan)

Family members accompanying working foreign nationals
Spouses and children dependent on working foreign nationals are granted a "Dependent" status of residence and are permitted to engage in the day-to-day activities of a dependent spouse or child of a working foreign national residing in Japan. Activities such as attendance at school fall within the scope of activities of a "Dependent," but work for compensation is in principle prohibited; part-time work (generally no more than 28 hours per week) is possible if permission to engage in activities other than that permitted under the status of residence previously granted is received. Applications for Certificates of Eligibility and subsequent visa for "Dependents" may be submitted at the same time as those applications for the working foreign national, but applications for "Dependents" may also be submitted after the working foreign national has first received status of residence to work in Japan.

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