Japanese legal experts: their expertise

Explanations about the specialties of Japanese professionals

Administrative Scrivener
~Specialist of visas and business permits/ license~

• Areas of expertise
  If you are not yet living in Japan and would like to apply for any type of visa, you may want to contact an administrative scrivener.
  An administrative scrivener can apply for visas, business permits and licenses. Also, they have the ability to notarize Articles of Incorporation (AoI) as an agency.
• Out of expertise
  An administrative scrivener cannot apply for a corporate registration.(＊)
  So, once you have found a reliable administrative scrivener and are on track to obtain a visa, ask him/her to introduce you to a judicial scrivener at an early stage.
  
  ＊Under the Companies Act in Japan, company is legitimately incorporated on the date when registration is applied to the Legal Affair Bureau.

Judicial Scrivener ~Specialist of registration~

• Areas of expertise
  Judicial scriveners are certified to apply for registration of incorporation. Since only a judicial scriveners and lawyers can apply for a corporate registration, they are almost always involved in the incorporation process.
  Therefore, if you want to start your business immediately, it is best to contact a judicial scrivener from the start.
• Out of expertise
  Judicial scriveners are not experts in visas nor business permits.
  It is recommended to get in touch with an administrative scrivener first, especially if you do not have a business administration visa, permanent resident visa, etc.

Tax Counsellor ~Specialists of taxation~

• Areas of expertise
  They can give you advice on tax reduction. Also, they can help you send in the appropriate tax-related documents into the local tax office for processing and can prepare for the annual tax return.
• Out of expertise
  Just as administrative scriveners, they cannot apply for registration of incorporation. In addition, they are not permitted to notarize an Articles of Incorporation as an agency. Therefore, if you consult with the tax consul for your incorporation, you may probably be referred to a judicial scrivener.

Lawyer ~Specialists of lawsuit and International Disputes~

• Areas of expertise
  Lawyers are specialists in all aspects of law. They will take the appropriate measures such as file paperwork or take cases to trial/ court.
  Technically, there are no fields outside of their area of expertise; yet, they generally do not apply for the registration by themselves.
  Also, please keep in mind that it tends to be more expensive than hiring a judicial scrivener.

One-stop Service Firm

• Areas of expertise
  This types of legal firm brings together all the specialists mentioned above. Meaning you do not have to go between specialists, and once you have made your request to them, it can be often be completed within the firm.

Conclusion

Personally, my best recommendation is to look for an one-stop service firm. However, please do remember that the firms that employ a large number of professionals tend to charge higher fees (especially if they are hiring native English speaker). 

MK@ 03/12/2022