Japan (JP)
Japan is one of the world's most captivating destinations for expats — a country where ancient temple culture and ultra-modern technology coexist seamlessly.
Capital: Tokyo
Region: Asia
Language: Japanese
Currency: JPY (¥)
Cost of living: Expensive (index 72)
Emergency: 110 (police) / 119 (fire and ambulance)
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Professional Services
Finding lawyers, accountants, doctors and other professionals in Japan.
Japan has separate licensing for different professional roles — a tax accountant (Zeirishi) cannot handle immigration, and an immigration specialist (Gyōsei Shoshi) cannot prepare financial statements. Use the right specialist for each need. Many professionals in Tokyo and Osaka offer English-language services, though this is rarer in rural areas. Free consultations are widely available — the Japan Legal Support Center (法テラス / Houterasu) provides free legal advice to low-income residents including foreigners. For business matters, the Japanese Chamber of Commerce and major city halls operate free consultation services.
Language options: English-language professional services are readily available in Tokyo, Osaka, and Nagoya, especially for immigration, tax, and real estate. Outside major cities, finding English-speaking professionals is more challenging. Many expat community groups maintain lists of recommended English-speaking professionals. Translation services are widely available (certified translators: ¥5,000–15,000 per document). For official documents requiring Japanese-language legal certification, use a certified translator (公認翻訳者).
Immigration Lawyer / Gyosei Shoshi (行政書士)
¥30,000–100,000 for standard work visa COE applications; ¥100,000–300,000 for complex cases (Business Manager, HSP point scoring, PR, naturalization) How to find: Search the Japan Federation of Certified Administrative Procedures Legal Specialists website (gyoseishoshi.or.jp) or ask expat community groups. Many specialize in immigration and advertise in English. Law firms like Mori Hamada & Matsumoto, or boutique immigration specialists like ImmigrationJapan.jp or Japan Expert Immigration Services.
Japan Federation of Certified Administrative Procedures Legal Specialists (日本行政書士会連合会)Immigration Services Agency registered service providers
💡 Gyōsei Shoshi (行政書士) are licensed administrative scriveners who handle immigration paperwork — cheaper than lawyers but equally qualified for visa applications. Use a licensed Gyōsei Shoshi with immigration specialization rather than general agencies. For court proceedings or complex legal disputes, you need a registered lawyer (弁護士 / Bengoshi).
Tax Accountant / Zeirishi (税理士)
¥30,000–80,000/year for individual tax returns; ¥100,000–300,000/year for corporate accounts (KK/GK); ¥50,000+ for complex international tax situations (foreign assets, dual residency) How to find: Japan Federation of Certified Public Tax Accountants (nichizeiren.or.jp). Many specialize in foreigners and international taxation. English-speaking tax accountants advertise in GaijinPot, Tokyo Expat, and similar communities. Firms: Tokyo Tax and Accounting, Japan Tax Consultant.
Japan Federation of Certified Public Tax Accountants (日本税理士会連合会)
💡 A Zeirishi (税理士) is licensed to prepare and file tax returns and advise on tax matters. For straightforward salaried employees, the employer's year-end adjustment (年末調整) handles your tax filing — you only need a Zeirishi if you have complex situations (investment income, foreign assets over ¥50M, freelance income, real estate, etc.). The NTA provides free tax consultation services (無料税務相談) at local tax offices during tax season (January–March).
Certified Public Accountant / Kōnin Kaikeishi (公認会計士)
¥200,000–1,000,000+/year for corporate audit and complex engagements How to find: Japanese Institute of Certified Public Accountants (jicpa.or.jp). Used by corporations for auditing and complex financial reporting.
Japanese Institute of Certified Public Accountants (日本公認会計士協会)
💡 Distinguished from Zeirishi — CPAs (公認会計士) handle statutory audits and complex financial reporting for corporations. Small businesses and freelancers use Zeirishi for tax compliance.
Real Estate Agent (不動産業者 / Fudōsan Gyōsha)
Agent fee (仲介手数料): 1 month's rent + 10% consumption tax (legally capped at 1 month's rent, charged to both sides). Additional move-in costs: key money (礼金) 0–2 months, deposit (敷金) 1–2 months, guarantor company fee ¥10,000–80,000. How to find: SUUMO (suumo.jp), HOMES (homes.co.jp), Athome (athome.co.jp) for Japanese-language listings. Expat-specific: Sakura House, Borderless House, Global Agents (Tokyo), Ken Corporation for luxury apartments. Foreign-friendly agencies with English support include Plaza Homes, Kaguwa, Morishita Fudosan.
The Real Estate Transaction Act requires agent licensing — confirm agency holds a valid 宅地建物取引業免許
💡 The Japanese rental market can be challenging for foreigners — some landlords refuse to rent to non-Japanese nationals. Use expat-specialist agencies. UR Housing (独立行政法人都市再生機構) has no key money, no guarantor requirement, and no agency fee — excellent for new arrivals with no Japanese credit history. Foreigner-friendly private apartments are labelled 外国人可 (foreigners welcome). Check carefully for restrictions on cooking smell, musical instruments, and pets.
Employment Lawyer / Bengoshi (弁護士)
¥30,000–50,000/hour for private consultations; ¥500,000–2,000,000+ for litigation. Free initial consultations widely available. How to find: Japan Federation of Bar Associations (nichibenren.or.jp) has a lawyer search tool. Many labour lawyers offer free initial 30-minute consultations. Tokyo Labor Bureau (東京労働局) provides free consultation. The General Union and Tokyo Managers Union offer advice to union members.
Japan Federation of Bar Associations (日本弁護士連合会 / Nichibenren)Tokyo Bar Association
💡 Labour disputes can be resolved through Hello Work mediation (無料), the Labour Standards Inspection Office (労働基準監督署), or through the courts. Most employment disputes don't require a lawyer — the Labour Standards Inspection Office investigates violations for free. A Bengoshi is only needed if you pursue a legal claim. Some labour lawyers work on a contingency basis for wrongful dismissal cases.
Notary / Kōshōnin (公証人)
¥5,000–30,000 depending on document type and complexity; wills (遺言公正証書) ¥11,000–110,000 based on estate value How to find: Japan Notaries Association (koshonin.or.jp). Notary offices (公証役場 / kōshō yakuba) are located in major cities, typically near district courts.
Japan Notaries Association (日本公証人連合会)
💡 Japanese notaries authenticate documents, draw up notarized agreements, certify translations, and prepare notarial wills (公正証書遺言 — the most secure form of will in Japan). Required for some company registration documents (articles of association for KK). Also used for power of attorney (委任状 / ininjō) and loan agreements. Bring your hanko and passport.
Social Insurance Labour Consultant / Sharoushi (社会保険労務士)
¥10,000–50,000/month for ongoing HR and payroll services; ¥30,000–80,000 one-time for setup How to find: Japan Federation of Social Insurance Labour Consultant's Associations (shakaihokenroumushi.or.jp). Many assist foreigners with social insurance enrollment, HR compliance, and labour regulations.
💡 A Sharoushi (社会保険労務士 / SR) specializes in social insurance, labour law, and HR administration — particularly useful for businesses hiring staff in Japan for the first time. Also helpful for individuals navigating NHI enrollment, pension questions, and employment insurance claims.
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