Search registry entities

    Japan registry entity search

    Free, official, source-cited — updated 2026-06.

    Search Company Records in Japan

    3 free lookups per day. No sign-up required.

    Reviewed by LemReveal Research TeamLast verified June 2026Primary source: gBizINFO / Legal Affairs Bureau

    How do I find the right registered entity in Japan?

    A registry entity search in Japan identifies which specific legal entity you are dealing with when a name is shared across several. gBizINFO / Legal Affairs Bureau distinguishes them by registration number, entity type (KK (株式会社 / Kabushiki Kaisha), GK (合同会社 / Godo Kaisha), YK (有限会社 / Yugen Kaisha - legacy)) and registered address.

    Step-by-step

    1. 1

      Search the name and expect several hits

      Groups commonly register holding, trading and dormant entities under near-identical names. The first result is not necessarily the one you are dealing with.

    2. 2

      Disambiguate by registration number

      The registration number is unique. If a counterparty cannot give you theirs, that is itself informative.

    3. 3

      Compare entity type and address

      Where the number is unavailable, entity type (KK (株式会社 / Kabushiki Kaisha), GK (合同会社 / Godo Kaisha), YK (有限会社 / Yugen Kaisha - legacy)) and registered address usually separate the candidates.

    4. 4

      Record which entity you chose

      Contracts are with an entity, not a brand. Note the registration number you verified so later checks look at the same record.

    Open gBizINFO / Legal Affairs BureauAll Japan records

    Frequently asked questions

    Why do several Japan entities share the same name?

    Groups register separate legal entities — holding, operating, dormant — under closely related names. gBizINFO / Legal Affairs Bureau treats each as a distinct entity with its own registration number.

    How do I tell which entity I am contracting with?

    By registration number. Ask the counterparty for it, then confirm that exact number on gBizINFO / Legal Affairs Bureau. Name alone is not sufficient.

    Is entity search on gBizINFO / Legal Affairs Bureau free?

    Yes — search and the public entity record are free and need no account.

    Does the biggest entity in the results matter most?

    No. What matters is the entity named on your contract or invoice. A dormant shell and a trading company in the same group look similar in a name search and carry very different risk.

    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 find the right registered entity 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.

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