Investing in Japan

To facilitate investment in Japan, the government operates single contact points in relevant ministries and agencies for inquires/support regarding doing business in Japan.
The Office of Trade and Investment Ombudsman (OTO) and No-Action Letter system are also outlined below.

The Japanese government set-up INVEST JAPAN offices in relevant ministries and agencies to serve as single contact points for foreign business people seeking information or help in setting up business in Japan. The offices are also located in the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), its regional bureaus and in the Department of Economy, Trade and Industry within the Okinawa General Bureau.

The Office of Trade and Investment Ombudsman (OTO) is a Japanese government body whose primary function is to quickly process and address complaints from overseas and domestic companies concerning specific government regulations that are seen to be obstacles to exporting to or investing in Japan.

The No-Action Letter system allows companies/individuals to confirm in advance (with relevant ministries and agencies that have jurisdiction to enforce certain laws and regulations) whether specific actions in connection with business activities that the company/individual seeks to realize are subject to the provisions of the regulations concerned. The relevant ministry or agency responds in a public letter.