Opening a Japanese LLC Company by Non-Resident Shareholder/Director

TOKYO, Japan - PrZen -- A Godo Kaisha, commonly abbreviated GK, is defined under the "Companies Act of Japan." GK is a comparatively new type of company introduced in the Companies Act of Japan" in May-2006.

GK is similar to the UK's Private Limited Company (Ltd) or the American Limited Liability Company (LLC).

A Godo Kaisha can be registered in the English alphabet, i.e., ABC Consulting "合同会社" ("Godo Kaisha") must be registered in the Japanese kanji characters.

Promoters/Investors in GK are called "Members" (社員, shain), and each member provides a capital/equity contribution. Members(investors) of a GK have limited liability, similar to a Kabushiki Kaisha(KK) shareholders.

Each member's liability to the company is limited to their invested amount.

A foreign entrepreneur or a corporation can register a Godo Kaisha (GK) in Japan without a "Local Resident in Japan" under the amendment in the Companies Act introduced in March-2015.

The features of Godo Kaisha (GK)/Limited Liability Company(LLC) at a glance:

• Capital:  1(one) yen or more
• Members(Promoters/Investors): 1(one) or more
• Corporation as a Member: Possible
• Liability of Member: Limited to the amount of investment/equity participation
• Executive Manager(Director): 1(one) or more. In principle, all Members are Executive Manager, but maybe stipulated otherwise in "Articles of Association." The Executive Manager (gyōmu shikkō shain) can be either an Individual or a Corporation. In the case of the Corporation, it must appoint at least one functional manager (shokumu shikkō sha) to perform the actual management duties. The role is similar to the responsibilities of Directors in KK
• Legally stipulated term of office of Executive Manager: No legally defined term
• Transfer of equity(share): Unanimous consent of members (equity holders) is required
• Resident in Japan: A foreign entrepreneur or a corporation can register a Godo Kaisha (GK) in Japan without a "Local Resident in Japan" under the amendment in the Companies Act introduced in March-2015
• Registered Office: A local address in Japan is required (physical address and not a PO Box)
• Company Secretary: Not required
• Yearly Tax Return Filing: Mandatory
• Yearly Auditing of Accounts: Not Required

Godo Kaisha (GK) registration procedures, steps, flowchart, and incorporation timeframe: please refer to the registration flowchart of GK.

For further information, please get in touch with us by mail.