Holding Companies in Japan

A holding company is a business entity which is structured for owning stock of other companies. Among the benefits of establishing a holding company in Japan, our company formation consultants in Japan would like to mention the fact that, generally, the investment required to control another company is smaller than it would be for a merger or consolidation.

Registering a holding company in Japan

A holding company in Japan usually is incorporated as:

• A limited liability company by share (Kabushiki Kaisha);

• A limited liability company (Godo Kaisha).

The limited liability company in Japan is commonly used by small and medium sized businesses and activates more as a partnership. Our company registration advisors in Japan can offer assistance in setting up such a company in Japan.

The registration costs for such a company are smaller than for the limited liability company by share (JPY 250,000). 

This type of entity is more useful when there are partners who can activate in the company by offering their skills, knowledge or network without effectuating large contributions.

On the downside, the limited liability company in Japan is less credible than the limited liability company by shares.

Taxation of holding companies in Japan

Usually, a non-resident person who holds shares in a holding company in Japan is obliged to pay taxes on the dividends from the holding company.

The withholding tax applied on dividends paid by Japan holding companies to non-residents is set at 20.42% under domestic law (15.315% for listed shares held below 3%). Our Japan company formation representatives can provide further details on this matter.

After this date, the domestic rate is often reduced (commonly to 0%, 5%, 10% or 15%), as defined by the Tax Conventions with different jurisdictions.

Profits which are derived from the sale or another type of share dispositions of a holding company in Japan inside the country or abroad by a non-resident are, commonly, taxed with an income, corporation or other taxes.

If you would like to set up a limited liability company in Japan, please do not hesitate to get in touch with our friendly company formation executives in Japan.