2025/7/14 01:33
How to search company registry / corporate number in japan
When searching for information on Japanese companiesthe Japanese government provides several official online resources.
These platforms offer a range of datafrom basic corporate details to comprehensive legal and financial information.
This article introduces and compares three key government websites for accessing Japanese company registry data: the National Tax Agency's Corporate Number Publication Sitethe Ministry of EconomyTrade and Industry's gBizINFOand the Ministry of Justice's Touki & Kyoutaku Online Application System.
Each siteoperated by a different government agencyoffers distinct featuresdata setsand functionalities tailored to specific use casesfrom simple identity verification to in-depth legal due diligence.
Understanding the capabilities and limitations of each is crucial for effectively gathering the corporate information you need.
Government Websites for Searching Japanese Company Registry
Features | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Site Owner | |||
Cost | Free | Free | Paid |
ApplicationConfirmation & Receipt Methods | Online | Online | Apply online and receive it at the counter or via mail in Japan |
Basic Data | - Corporate Number | - Corporate Number | - Legal Registration Details |
Key Advanced Data | None | - Subsidy | - Executives |
Data Freshness | Monthly updates (daily diffsetc.) | Update Stopped from June 2025 until January 2026 (Currently under update) | Real-time |
Legal Validity Of Output | Informational only | Informational only | Legally Valid |
Main Use Cases | - Rapid Identity Verification | - Business Intelligence | - Legal Due Diligence |
Corporate Number Publication Site by National Tax Agency
This site is the “Corporate Number Publication Site” run by Japan’s National Tax Agency.
You can do the following here:
Search for corporations – Find a Japanese company’s 13-digit Corporate Number by entering its trade namelegal nameaddressand so onor by typing the number directly.
Advanced search – Narrow results with detailed filters such as corporation type (e.g.kabushiki-gaishagōdō-gaisha)update historyor whether the registration has been closed.
Bulk search – Look up multiple Corporate Numbers at once.
The site also offers explanatory pages—like “What is a Corporate Number?”—and a helpful FAQ sectionmaking it a useful resource whenever you need information about Japan’s Corporate Number system.
https://www.houjin-bangou.nta.go.jp/en/
Important note: Search results on the English page will only display companies that have registered their information in English. (Most of Japanese Companies does not register English Page)
gBizINFO by Ministry of EconomyTrade and Industry (METI)
Updates ran from June 2025 through January 2026 and have been on hold ever sinceso keep that in mind.
This website is “gBizINFO,” a government portal operated by Japan’s Ministry of EconomyTrade and Industry (METI).
gBizINFO aggregates corporate data held by various ministries and makes it freely available as open data. Specificallyyou can:
Search corporate information – Look up a company’s basic and operational details by entering its Corporate Number or name.
Access diverse datasets – View cross-ministerial information in one placeincluding financial statements (Financial Services Agency)filings and certifications (Digital Agency)workplace data (Ministry of HealthLabour and Welfare)and more.
Leverage the data – Not only can you browse the information onlineyou can also download datasets or integrate them into other systems via API.
In shortgBizINFO centralizes and openly provides a wide range of corporate information to support business and social activities.
The Touki & Kyoutaku Online Application System by Ministry of Justice
This is the official website of the “The Touki & Kyoutaku Online Application System” run by Japan’s Ministry of Justice—nicknamed “Tōki-net” for registrations and “Kyōtaku-net” for deposits.
By using this portalyou can complete a variety of procedures online from your home or office computerwithout visiting a Legal Affairs Bureau counter.
Applications / requests
File registration applications for real-estate titlescommercial or corporate mattersadult guardianshipand more
Request certified copies of registry records (registry transcripts) or seal-impression certificates
Deposit money or securities electronically
Inquiries
Track the processing status of your submitted applications
Perform a trade-name search to verify that no other company has already registered the same name
Filing methods
“Easy Certificate Request” – a simple browser-based workflow for ordering certificates
Comprehensive Application Software – dedicated desktop software you install when submitting full registration or deposit filings
Some procedures even carry reduced fees when completed onlineoffering an extra benefit for using the system.
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