日本語

Important Notes for Foreigners Creating Personal and Corporate Seals in Japan

To establish a company in Japan, foreign nationals will typically need three items: (1) a personal seal (jitsuin), (2) a seal registration certificate (inkan shomeisho) to prove the seal is registered, and (3) a corporate seal for the company.

1. Personal Seal and Seal Registration Certificate for Foreign Residents

For foreign nationals residing in Japan:
To form a kabushiki kaisha (KK) or godo kaisha (GK), the promoter and directors must provide a seal registration certificate issued by the municipal government.

If you haven’t yet registered your personal seal, you will need to visit your local city or ward office to register it. This is necessary before you can obtain a seal registration certificate.

For foreign nationals residing outside Japan:
If you don’t have a registered address in Japan, you’ll need to obtain either a notarized seal certificate or signature verification from your home country, issued by an official government entity. These documents must be accompanied by a certified Japanese translation.

Note: The format and contents of these certificates must be similar to those found in a standard Japanese seal registration certificate.

Seal Registration Certificate Requirements Based on Residency

• Seal registration must be completed before you can request a seal certificate.
• Foreigners over 15 years old with a resident registration and a valid mid- to long-term visa can register a seal at their city or ward office.
• You’ll receive a “seal registration card” upon registration, which is required to obtain the certificate.
• Short-term visitors and those without a valid visa cannot register a seal.
• Registering a seal using a katakana alias requires it to be recorded on your resident record.

Example of Seal Registration for Foreign Residents in Japan (Source: Itabashi City Office)

2. Creating a Company Seal (Corporate Seal)

When registering a company in Japan, it is customary to create three types of seals: the representative seal, the bank seal, and the square seal used for everyday business. These can easily be ordered online by simply entering your company name. Depending on material and vendor, the cost usually ranges from ¥10,000 to ¥30,000.

The representative seal is the official company seal registered with the Legal Affairs Bureau. Once registered, your company can obtain a seal certificate, which will be required for lease agreements, bank loans, and high-value contracts.

The bank seal is submitted to the bank when opening an account. It is often distinct from the representative seal to reduce risk. Using the same seal for all purposes could allow transactions and contracts to be completed with a single stamp.

The square seal (kakuin) is not registered with any authority. It is commonly used for daily business documents such as estimates and invoices.

About the Author

Masakazu Murai
Foreign Startup Support Producer – from visa applications to funding support

Born in 1977. Former investment banker with 18 years at Mitsubishi UFJ Morgan Stanley Securities, advising over 500 entrepreneurs and executives on financial strategy, business planning, and capital policies.

He now specializes in immigration consulting for foreign nationals, focusing on visa procedures and startup advisory. His hobbies include attending Japanese idol concerts, watching Leonardo DiCaprio films, and spending time with cats.

Certified Administrative Scrivener for Immigration Applications / Certified Financial Planner (CFP) / Member of the Security Analysts Association of Japan

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