TSV

Japanese Business Entity Types - TSV

Japanese business entity types include four forms under the Companies Act: stock companies (Kabushiki Kaisha), limited liability companies (Godo Kaisha), limited partnerships (Goshi Kaisha), and general partnerships (Gomei Kaisha), plus Limited Liability Partnerships (LLP) under the LLP Act. Each form has distinct characteristics regarding establishment requirements, liability scope, fundraising methods, and tax treatment, chosen according to business scale and objectives. Stock companies are most common with high credibility, while LLCs offer lower establishment costs and flexible management.

Companies Act business entity stock company LLC LLP corporation startup

code	slug	name	description	canGoPublic	establishmentCost	legalBasis	legalPersonality	liabilityType	minMembers
KK	kabushiki-kaisha	Stock Company (Kabushiki Kaisha)	The most common business entity in Japan that can raise funds by issuing stocks.	true	Approx. 170,000-250,000 JPY	Companies Act	true	Limited Liability	1
GK	godo-kaisha	Limited Liability Company (Godo Kaisha / LLC)	A flexible business entity established in the 2006 Companies Act reform where investors are also managers.	false	Approx. 60,000-100,000 JPY	Companies Act	true	Limited Liability	1
LLP	llp	Limited Liability Partnership (LLP)	A partnership form without legal personality but with pass-through taxation.	false	Approx. 60,000 JPY	Limited Liability Partnership Act	false	Limited Liability	2
GK-KS	goshi-kaisha	Limited Partnership (Goshi Kaisha)	A mixed liability business entity composed of unlimited and limited liability members.	false	Approx. 60,000 JPY	Companies Act	true	Mixed Liability (Unlimited + Limited)	2
GM-KS	gomei-kaisha	General Partnership (Gomei Kaisha)	The oldest business entity in Japan where all members have unlimited liability.	false	Approx. 60,000 JPY	Companies Act	true	Unlimited Liability	2