Market Entry
Japan
Among many countries in which we operate, Japan is one of our specialties. Japan is an economy full of potentials, but its distinct business culture and language is a hindrance to foreign companies wanting to enter and/or operate more efficiently in the Japanese market. We help put your best foot forwards in the third largest economy in the world.
We are not strangers to Japan. Our team knows the law of the land because our roots run deep. While we build bridges with foreign countries, our feet stay planted firmly on the foundation we have built. Because being a part of Japan is more than looking to its future, we acknowledge our past and build from our heritage.
Our native Japanese consultant have decades of international expertise to coordinate your ventures in English, Chinese and Japanese speaking regions, offering you a world of possibilities.
We partner with you, ready to meet you company where it is and provide a range of market entry options. Also, we provide you with a menu of services to facilitate a simple transition into the Japanese market.
We are here before you get here. We lay the groundwork for foreign companies, preparing documentation, employment options, financial security and so much more.
Our expertise and experience will make your entry into the Japanese market efficient and well-adapted. Our services cover your needs and open your company to possibilities available through our connections.
Singapore
Singapore is the most densely populated and most heterogenous society in the world with spoken languages of English, Chinese, Malay and Tamil. Owing to such diverse attributes, after gaining independence in 1959, the economy of Singapore has boomed and have risen to be one of the most important financial centers in Asia. As a home for large international financial conglomerates and as their regional headquarters which enjoy the most efficient tax system in the region, Singapore continues to attract foreign investors, enterprises and skillful workers. Notably, in recent years, it has become the hub for FinTech companies in Asia, which became the destination for young start-up entrepreneurs.
Given the legal tradition rooted in the English Commonwealth, transparent legal system and free democracy (although limited totalitarianism remains), Singapore is the natural place to incorporate companies.
Things to know about Singapore economy and tax/company laws:-
| Basic Information | |
| Currency | Singapore Dollars (SGD) |
| Corporate Income Tax | 17% (100% exemption for first SGD 100,000; 50% exemption for next SGD 200,000) |
| Sales Tax | 7% on certain items |
| Law governing company formation | The Companies Act |
| Share Capital Requirement | $1 |
| Types of companies | Private Limited, Private Limited Non-Resident, Resident |
| Local Office in Singapore | Required |
| Language used for company documents | English |
| Local company secretary | Individual Required |
| Director | Minimum 1 local director |
| Shareholder | 1 to 50 shareholders – company or individual domestic or foreign |
| Time for incorporation | Within 1 day |
| Annual Reporting | ACRA (company register) and IRAS (tax authority) |
| Audit Obligation | If 2 of following 3 conditions are met: 1) total annual revenue exceeding SGD10 million; 2) total asset exceeding SGD10 million or 3) has more than 50 employees |
| Usage of Companies | Holding and Offshore companies (tax exempt) |
Thailand
Thailand is the second largest economy in ASEAN, and its economy continues to improve and grow.
Strategically located in the center of South East Asia, with easy travel distance to Hong Kong and Singapore, it is well suited for the reginal hub for manufacturing and service sectors. Because it neighbors Vietnam, Cambodia, Myanmar and Malaysia, regional operating headquarters could
Based on the democracy with monarchy and favorable corporate income tax at 20%, Thailand has made remarkable progress with its social and economic development.
We advise foreign companies and help them incorporate Thai Limited Company and regional operating headquarters to create a foothold in the South East Asia.
Labuan (Malaysia)
Labuan (official name “Federal Territory of Labuan”) consists of six islands and is located off the coast of Borneo Island in Malaysia (Sabah in East Malaysia). Strategically located in the center of Asia, its Capital of Victoria is known as an official financial centre (Labuan Offshore Financial Center).
While being part of Malaysia, it enjoys has a distinct regime allows Labuan to enforce unique tax regimes to foreign investors and foreign enterprises. Owning to the legal tradition rooted in the English Commonwealth, it has become one of the well known offshore international financial center in the world.
| Basic Information | |
| Currency | Malaysian Ringgit (RYR); United States Dollars (USD) |
| Corporate Income Tax | 3% of net profits for offshore sources 17% for income below MYR500,000; otherwise 24% for Malaysia sourced income |
| Sales Tax | 0-28% for resident individuals; 28% for non-resident individuals |
| Law governing company formation | Labuan Company Act 1990 |
| Share Capital Requirement | $1 |
| Types of companies | Labuan Company, Labuan Foreign Company and Labuan Protected Cell Company |
| Local Office and employees in Labuan | Required |
| Language used for company documents | English and Bahasa Malaysia |
| Director | Minimum 1 local director |
| Shareholder | At least 1 shareholder |
| Company secretary | Minimum 1 local secretary |
| Time for incorporation | 3 weeks |
| Annual Reporting | Labuan Financial Services Authority (company register) and Labuan Inland Revenue Board (tax authority) |
| Audit Obligation | Yes |
| Usage of Companies | Holding, Trading, etc (tax exempt) |
Hong Kong
Strategically located on the easter Pearl River Delta facing the South China Sea, Hong Kong is a home for large multinational companies and globally operating financial institutions. It is not only the gateway to the Great Bay Economic region in China, but also the regional hub of multinational companies operating in Asia.
With the efficient corporate tax rate at 16.5%, laissez-faire economy, and minimal government intervention, Hong Kong continues to attract foreign investors, enterprises and skillful workers.
Hong Kong is the natural place to incorporate companies, given the legal tradition rooted in the English Commonwealth, transparent legal system and free democracy (although limited totalitarianism remains)
For more details, please go to: https://startuphk.jp/
Professional Translation
Relying on the technical expertise in financial and experience in regulatory compliance, we provide high quality translation services to globally operating enterprises.
We can handle Japanese, English and Chinese (Traditional and Simplified) translations. We regularly deal with complex contracts involving international parties, court documents, submissions and applications to certain government entities, manuals required for company operations, technical translation for patent application. Our clients rely on our speedy, precise and professional translations in these areas.
Company Secretary
It is common in companies established in Western countries, in addition to shareholders and directors, there is a position called Company Secretary. Although it is not directly involved in management, it is a core position that oversees back office operations in company management.
The general duties of a company secretary are:
– Convening, holding, and proceeding with the Board of Directors (Board of Directors) or the General Meeting of Shareholders
– Preparation and management of minutes and approval documents
– Liaising external experts regarding the creation and submission of certain documents with government registries
– Accounting book preparation, liaising with accounting auditors, preparing and submission of tax documents
– Creating the company manuals
– Providing compliance support (including anti-money laundering and KYC regulations)
– Management of various legal documents
– Providing meeting arrangements and interpreting services to management as needed
The advantage of the company secretary is that by supervising the clerical work, shareholders and directors can focus on essential management. Appointing a company secretary in some countries may be mandatory under the relevant regulations. Due to the nature of their duties, lawyers and accounting professionals are often engaged, but the above company secretarial work does not require a special license.
It is a system that has not yet penetrated in Asia and Japan, but for foreign companies seeking inbound expansion into Japan, the company secretary who provides services with Western standards can be relied on. In addition, as a new way of efficient organizational management, we would like to continue to spread it to companies operating in Asia.