Need a Japanese company’s facts fast?
Start with the free Corporate Number Publication Site (NTA) or gBizINFO (METI) for a 13-digit ID and current name.
For certified details—directors, capital history—turn to the Legal Affairs Bureau’s online registry services, and tap Teikoku Databank when you need credit-report depth.
This guide compares features, fees, and step-by-step search tactics so you can balance speed, cost, and legal validity.
List of Database
| Database | Site Owner | What you get | Price |
| Corporate Number Publication Site | National Tax Agency (NTA) | – 13-digit Corporate Number – Current legal name (in Japanese & any registered English) – Head-office address – Historical names / addresses (optional) | Free |
| gBizINFO | Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) | – 13-digit Corporate Number – Current legal name (in Japanese & any registered English) – Head-office address – Historical names / addresses (optional) information is from Corporate Number Publication Site of NTA | Free |
| Japan Corporate Registry System (登記情報提供サービス) | The Civil Legal Affairs Association (Minji Houmu Kyokai) | – Corporate Number – Current & former trade names – Head-office address history – Date of incorporation – Public-notice method – Business purposes – Authorized & issued share totals, capital, share-transfer restrictions – Directors, auditors, representatives, liquidators with appointment & resignation dates – Company status (e.g., dissolution, bankruptcy) and registry log | Paid |
The Touki & Kyoutaku Online Application System 登記・供託オンライン申請システム (登記ねっと 供託ねっと) | The Ministry of Justice | – Corporate Number – Current & former trade names – Head-office address history – Date of incorporation – Public-notice method – Business purposes – Authorized & issued share totals, capital, share-transfer restrictions – Directors, auditors, representatives, liquidators with appointment & resignation dates – Company status (e.g., dissolution, bankruptcy) and registry log | Paid |
| Alarmbox | Alarmbox, Inc. | – Corporate Number – Current & former trade names – Head-office address history – Date of incorporation – Public-notice method – Business purposes – Authorized & issued share totals, capital, share-transfer restrictions – Directors, auditors, representatives, liquidators with appointment & resignation dates – Company status (e.g., dissolution, bankruptcy) and registry log | Paid |
| Teikoku Databank | Teikoku Databank | Refer Sample Report: Company Credit Reports | Paid |
To search for a company number in Japan, you can follow multiple methods leveraging various databases and official resources.
Here are the steps summarized for your convenience:
National Tax Agency’s Corporate Number Publication Site
The National Tax Agency (NTA) database provides the most straightforward method to search for a corporate number, known as the Japanese Corporate Number (JCN).
Steps:
1. Visit the NTA Corporate Number Page: Go to https://www.houjin-bangou.nta.go.jp/ or https://www.houjin-bangou.nta.go.jp/en/ website.
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)
2. Search by Company Name: You have the option to search using the corporate name (either in kanji or kana), location, or the corporate number itself.
3. Download Bulk Data: You can download a full list of registered companies from the NTA site in CSV, XML, or JSON formats for offline analysis.
Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) Database
The METI database is another valuable resource to verify company information in Japan.
Steps:
1. Visit the METI Website: Go to https://info.gbiz.go.jp/ website.
2. Corporate Number Search: Use the “Corporate Number Search” feature.
Enter the company name (in Japanese or English) and review the details such as registration number, date of establishment, capital, directors, and office address.
Japan Corporate Registry System
For official registration details, use the Commercial and Corporate Registry system.
Steps:
1. Access the Registry: Go to https://www1.touki.or.jp/gateway.html for commercial and corporate registry information.
2. Search for Information: You can perform searches by company name, using kana for phonetic searches, or directly using the 12-digit company registration number.
The system also provides detailed search guide and conditions to ensure accurate results are fetched.
The Touki & Kyoutaku Online Application System
The Touki & Kyoutaku Online Application System is the Japanese Ministry of Justice’s official online portal for submitting applications for commercial, corporate, and real estate registrations, as well as for making legal deposits.
- Prepare and Install Software: Go to the official Touki & Kyoutaku Online Application System website to download the required “Application Software” (
申請用総合ソフト). You must also prepare your digital certificate (such as the one on your My Number Card) and an IC card reader. - Register and Create Application: Open the installed software to register as a new user and receive an applicant ID. Use the software to create your application data by selecting the type of registration (e.g., real estate, corporate) and entering the required information.
- Digitally Sign and Submit: Using your IC card reader and digital certificate, apply a legally valid electronic signature to your completed application data. Once signed, submit the data to the Legal Affairs Bureau through the software.
- Pay Fees Online: After submitting, you will receive a notification for payment. Pay the necessary registration taxes and fees online via a compatible Internet banking service (Pay-easy).
Alarmbox
Alarmbox is a Japanese B2B service that utilizes AI to provide online credit risk management and compliance screening for companies.
- Log in to Alarmbox: Access the Alarmbox service using your registered ID and password.
- Access the Search Function: From the dashboard or menu, select “Power Search,” which is the function for corporate investigation.
Search for a Company: You can search for the target company by its name, corporate number, phone number, or address. The AI-powered search can suggest relevant candidates even if the exact name is not known. - Search for a Company: You can search for the target company by its name, corporate number, phone number, or address. The AI-powered search can suggest relevant candidates even if the exact name is not known.
- Retrieve the Investigation Report: Select the target company from the search results to initiate an investigation. Once complete, a comprehensive report will be generated. This report includes the company’s basic profile, financial condition, litigation risks, connections to anti-social forces, and online reputation (from news, social media, etc.) for your review.
Teikoku Databank Database:
Various databases can be used for cross-referencing, such as Nikkei and Teikoku Databank.
These databases often allow detailed searches using company names, locations, and financial information.
Japan Business Platform Company Registry Information Retrieval Service
Upon receiving the necessary input, we will retrieve the relevant registration details of the company and provide a translated version in English.
Required Information of target company
- Company Name
- Head Office Address
- Corporate Number(if available)
- Company’s URL(if available)
Information Provided
- Corporate Number
- Company Name (including previous names and the corresponding change dates, if applicable)
- Head Office Address (including previous addresses and the corresponding change dates, if applicable)
- Date of Incorporation
- Business Objectives (including previous objectives and the corresponding change dates, if applicable)
- Authorized Share Capital
- Total Issued Shares, including types and quantities
- Provision regarding the issuance of share certificates
- Amount of Capital
- Provisions concerning restrictions on share transfers
- Details on Corporate Officers
- Information pertaining to companies with a Board of Directors
- Information pertaining to companies with Statutory Auditors
- Other registered matters
Acquisition Methods and Fees
Type A. Internet-based Information
- Issuing Authority: Japan Association of Certified Public Judicial Scriveners
- Legal Validity: Does not possess legal certification
- Fee: USD 30 (includes retrieval and translation)
- Delivery Time: 2–3 business days
Type B. Information Obtained from the Legal Affairs Bureau
- Issuing Authority: Legal Affairs Bureau
- Legal Validity: Legally certified
- Fee: USD 200 (includes retrieval and translation certification by a certified translator and administrative scrivener for up to three pages)
- Delivery Time: 15 business days
Normally, Type A and Type B have the same information, and the only difference is legal validity.
Therefore, if you prioritize speed, please choose Type A, and if you prioritize legal validity, please choose Type B.
Also, please note that if changes notification regarding registration details has been submitted, it may take about one month before the updated information becomes available.
If you have any questions or require further clarification, please feel free to contact us.
Summary
To effectively search for a company number in Japan, use the National Tax Agency for direct corporate number searches, METI for detailed company information, and other specialized databases for comprehensive analyses. Each method serves specific needs, from simple lookups to extensive due diligence.
By following these steps and utilizing the provided resources, you can access accurate and up-to-date company information in Japan.