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International Trade

International Trade & Japan

The US-Japan corridor — navigated by operators on both sides.

Japan is our home market. Our principals have built and operated businesses in Japan across defense, technology, and consumer sectors. We bring that ground truth to every engagement.

Our international trade practice helps US companies enter Japan — and Japanese companies expand into the US — with the legal, cultural, and operational discipline both markets demand. This is not a "fly-in fly-out" advisory shop.

Export controls are embedded in every cross-border engagement. ITAR, EAR, METI, and customs regulations handled as engineering constraints, not afterthoughts.

Offerings

What we deliver

Japan Market Entry

Market sizing, channel strategy, pricing, competitive landscape, go-to-market execution.

Business Establishment in Japan

KK or GK formation, tax ID, banking, office setup, visa support, first-hire recruiting.

US-Japan Import/Export Consulting

HTS/ECCN classification, preferential trade agreement use, supply chain design, logistics partners.

Export Control Navigation

ITAR, EAR, METI, Foreign Exchange Act — the full compliance stack for cross-border technology transfer.

Cross-Border Regulatory Compliance

FDA/PMDA, FCC/TELEC, UL/PSE — we map the US product onto Japanese regulatory requirements and vice versa.

Japanese Business Culture & Protocol

Executive briefings, negotiation support, interpretation, relationship management at a senior level.

Process

How an engagement unfolds

  1. 01

    Corridor Assessment

    Regulatory mapping, market sizing, competitive landscape, cultural fit analysis.

  2. 02

    Entity & Structure

    Legal entity selection (KK/GK), tax structuring, IP protection strategy, banking setup.

  3. 03

    Regulatory Clearance

    All applicable licenses, certifications, and notifications cleared before revenue operations begin.

  4. 04

    Operations Launch

    First hires, office, logistics, first-customer engagements. Boots on the ground in both countries.

  5. 05

    Sustainment

    Ongoing representation, annual compliance renewals, expansion roadmap.

Proof
2
Countries, one integrated practice
Questions

Frequently asked

Do you handle the legal work in Japan directly?
We coordinate with licensed Japanese counsel (bengoshi) and judicial scriveners (shiho-shoshi) for all Japanese legal filings. We drive the end-to-end workflow, manage translations, and ensure the client sees one integrated delivery — not a relay between offices.
How long does company formation in Japan take?
A GK (godo kaisha) typically completes in 3-4 weeks; a KK (kabushiki kaisha) in 4-6 weeks. Bank account opening adds 2-4 weeks and is the common bottleneck. We brief clients on realistic timelines at kickoff.
Can you help with export-controlled technology?
Yes — this is a specialty. ITAR-controlled defense articles, EAR 600-series items, dual-use technology under Japan's Foreign Exchange Act — we handle classifications, licenses, and ongoing compliance as part of the trade engagement.
Do you work outside the US-Japan corridor?
Our Japan practice is deepest and our recommended scope. We've supported clients in Korea, Taiwan, Singapore, UK, and Germany as extensions of existing Japan/US engagements, but we're selective about starting new corridors we don't own deeply.

Ready to get started?

Book a consultation or send us the scope of what you need.

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