How to get a company extract in Japan
Free, official, source-cited — updated 2026-06.
Search Company Records in Japan
3 free lookups per day. No sign-up required.
How do I get an official company extract in Japan?
An official Japan company extract is issued by gBizINFO / Legal Affairs Bureau at https://info.gbiz.go.jp. Free public search covers most verification needs; a paid certified company extract is normally only required for banking, tenders, court filings or notarised transactions.
Step-by-step
- 1
Confirm the entity first
Search by name or registration number and confirm you have the right legal entity before paying for anything.
- 2
Decide whether you need a certified copy
For internal due diligence, the free public record is usually sufficient. Certified extracts are for banks, tender submissions, courts and notaries.
- 3
Request the extract from gBizINFO / Legal Affairs Bureau
Extracts are issued by the register itself at https://info.gbiz.go.jp. Third parties cannot issue a certified document.
https://info.gbiz.go.jp - 4
Check the issue date
Most counterparties require an extract issued within the last three months, so request it close to when you need to submit it.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a paid extract to verify a Japan company?
Usually not. The free public record from gBizINFO / Legal Affairs Bureau confirms legal name, registration number, status and registered address. A certified extract is only needed when a bank, court or tender explicitly requires one.
What does a Japan company extract contain?
Typically the legal name, registration number, incorporation date, registered address, entity type and current status — the same core fields visible in the free record, but issued as an official document.
Can a third-party site issue an official extract?
No. Only gBizINFO / Legal Affairs Bureau can issue a certified extract for Japan. Third-party tools help you find and monitor the record, not certify it.
What is a KK (Kabushiki Kaisha)?
KK (株式会社 / Kabushiki Kaisha) is Japan's standard joint-stock company, equivalent to a corporation. Minimum capital is ¥1. It's the most prestigious and common company form for medium to large businesses. Almost all listed Japanese companies are KK.
People also ask about get an official company extract in Japan
The exact questions searchers type into Google — answered from the primary source.
Is the Japan company register free to search?
Yes. Basic company lookups on the gBizINFO / Legal Affairs Bureau are free — you can search by company name or registration number, view legal status, registered address and (usually) directors at no cost. Some jurisdictions charge a small fee only for downloading full filed documents.
What is the official Japan business registry?
The gBizINFO / Legal Affairs Bureau is the official public register of companies incorporated in Japan. It is operated by the government and is the primary source cited on this page — https://info.gbiz.go.jp.
Related guides and tools
More Japan guides
- Search companies by name
Find any registered company from a partial name — free, no signup.
- Search the company register
What the official register holds, and how to search it free.
- Search the business registry
Match a trading name to the registered legal entity behind it.
- Find the right entity
Tell apart several entities registered under near-identical names.
Japan data
- Japan company search
Search every gBizINFO / Legal Affairs Bureau record.