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Establishing a Business in Tokyo with TOSBEC: An Introduction for Foreign Entrepreneurs

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Establishing a Business in Tokyo with TOSBEC: An Introduction for Foreign Entrepreneurs

Starting a business in a new country can be a daunting task, filled with unfamiliar procedures and regulations. If you're looking to launch or expand your business in Tokyo, the Tokyo One-Stop Business Establishment Center (TOSBEC) is an invaluable resource that can significantly simplify the process. TOSBEC is jointly administered by the Japanese government and the Tokyo Metropolitan Government to assist foreign companies in establishing their businesses in Tokyo.

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What is TOSBEC?

TOSBEC is a unique center designed to consolidate the various administrative procedures needed to start a business in Tokyo. It was created under the National Strategic Special Zones program. Before TOSBEC, entrepreneurs had to visit multiple governmental organizations across the city, making the process cumbersome. TOSBEC aims to streamline this by providing a single location where you can access consultations and support for all the necessary steps.

Key Services Offered by TOSBEC

The TOSBEC office in Akasaka, Tokyo

TOSBEC offers a wide range of free services to help entrepreneurs:

  • Free Consultations: You can receive consultations with professionals in various fields of entrepreneurship. These experts cover topics such as:
    • Certification of articles of incorporation.
    • Company registration.
    • Taxation (including national and metropolitan taxes).
    • Social insurance.
    • Immigration.
    • Employment and labor insurance.
    • Health and pension insurance.
    • Small and medium enterprise management.
  • Multilingual Support: TOSBEC offers free interpretation and translation services in multiple languages, including English. They always have English interpretation available and can provide other languages with advance notice. As of October 22, 2024, applications for Employment Insurance, Labor Insurance/Labor Standards, and Health Insurance/Pension Insurance can also be submitted in English.
  • Online Application Support: TOSBEC supports electronic filing of company establishment procedures, which can save you time and money.
  • Electronic Filing: Filing the certification of the articles of incorporation electronically can reduce costs by 40,000 yen.
  • Business Development Support: In the same space as TOSBEC is the Business Development Center Tokyo (BDCT), which provides business development services in English. They offer assistance with business plans, matchmaking services, and start-up projects.
  • Employment Consultation: The Tokyo Employment Consultation Center (TECC) helps startups understand employment-related rules.

How TOSBEC Helps Foreign Entrepreneurs

TOSBEC is particularly helpful for foreign entrepreneurs and startups. The center's multilingual support helps to eliminate the apprehension that can arise from navigating complex legal and business matters in a foreign country. TOSBEC also offers a program to increase foreign entrepreneurs, with entrepreneurs able to apply for a six-month startup visa if they have a viable business plan.

Using TOSBEC Services

TOSBEC offers both face-to-face and online consultations. If you want to visit one of the centers, it is requested that you make a reservation in advance. You can contact the centers by phone or email.

  • Main Office (Akasaka): The main office is located in Akasaka.
  • Satellite Centers: There are also satellite centers in Shibuya and Yurakucho. These satellite centers offer consultations with experts in the Akasaka office via videophone.

Contact Information

For online consultation and reservation, please feel free to contact us by telephone and e-mail as follows;

【Tokyo One-Stop Business Establishment Center】
TEL:+81-03-3582-4934／E-mail: support@tosbec.org

【Shibuya Satellite Center】
TEL: +81-03-4563-5494

【Yurakucho Satellite Center】
TEL: +81-03-4560-0634

【Business Development Center TOKYO(Akasaka)】
TEL: +81-03-3582-8353 ／ E-mail: support2@tosbec.org

【Business Development Center TOKYO(Marunouchi)】
TEL：81-（0）3-6269-9981 ／ E-mail: contactus@bdc-tokyo.org
E-mail: financial-desk@bdc-tokyo.org (Financial One-Stop Support Service）

【Business Development Center TOKYO(Yurakucho)】
TEL：81-（0）3-4550-6306 ／ E-mail: contactus@bdc-tokyo.org

Seminars and Events

TOSBEC also offers seminars on starting a business in Tokyo. These seminars are held at various locations and times, and are sometimes in English, and sometimes in Japanese. Check the TOSBEC website for schedules.

Starting a business in Tokyo is a significant undertaking, but with the help of TOSBEC, the process can be much smoother. With its free consultation services, multilingual support, and expert staff, TOSBEC is a valuable resource for any entrepreneur looking to establish a business in Tokyo. By utilizing TOSBEC’s services, you can focus more on building your business and less on navigating the complexities of Japanese bureaucracy.