Whether you’re just on your way to filling individual tax returns or looking for tax audit support for your cross-border venture, finding the right tax accountants in Tokyo is like walking in the dark — you’re practically stripped off from any landmark (as the saying goes, “death and taxes”).
In Japan, you’ll be facing a different set of tax laws and regulations. Combined with language barrier (what’s ‘consumption tax’ in Japanese again?) and cultural differences, becoming a law-abiding foreign taxpayer can easily turn into an impossible quest.
The surge of foreign-affiliated companies in Japan means there’s a few international tax and accounting specialists aside from the “Big Four”.
Luckily, we’ve compiled a list of the most trusted English-speaking and foreign-friendly tax accountants in Japan, as reviewed by the International Financial Center.
Why you need to find the right tax accountant
The proper tax treatment and preparations are essential to a company’s success and development, be it a small enterprise or a behemoth subsidiary. That — and the fact that you’re treading on thin ice when it comes to tax and legal agenda with basic Japanese vocabulary.
Dealing with confusing tax and accounting issues is already mindwrecking, let alone dealing them in Japanese. Having the wrong accountant can easily delay business productivity and cause individual setbacks.
Bilingual (or even multilingual) notaries, attorneys and accountants can be the difference between a smooth-sailing tax season and an ugly tax record.
Tax in Japan: What you need to know
Taxes in Japan are divided based on income, property and consumption.
- Individual Income Tax.
The income tax system in Japan is based on the principle of a “self-assessment system”, where an individual calculates their own income for the year and the amount of tax by submitting a tax return.
How much you pay depends on your residency status.
- Permanent residents will be taxed on their worldwide income, regardless of its source.
- Non-permanent residents will be taxed based on their income sources in Japan and from abroad, except the part that is retained abroad.
- Non-residents are taxed only on their income in Japan.
Income tax is paid annually on national, prefectural and municipal levels.
- Enterprise Tax
Taxes on corporate income is paid by self-employed individuals levied on an income base. The business size — such as the number of employees and amount of capital — affects the overall calculation.
- Withholding Income Tax
When your corporation pays salary or wage, a part of the amount must be withheld for income tax.
Bilingual and Foreign-friendly Tax Accountants in Tokyo
Global Solutions Consulting Co., Ltd.
Representative: Takaaki Fukunaga (email)
Language support: Japanese, English and Chinese
Established in 2005, the company mainly provides accounting and tax-related services, which were broken into several categories: real estate investment, finance and foreign venture. Their support isn’t limited to Japan’s domestic tax laws. You can expect comprehensive guidance on international tax treaties, inbound and outbound transaction forms and tax returns on foreign individuals.
Office location: 5-1-4, Toranomon, Minato-ku
Website: www.global-solution.jp/en/
Phone: 03-3433-6433
Ernst & Young Tax Co.
Representative: Ichiro Suto
Language support: English, Chinese, German, Korean and French
Globally scattered across the globe, Ernst & Young (EY) is one of the sought-after “Big Four” accounting firms. They integrate human knowledge with technology platforms to help with all tax needs: corporate tax, international taxation, merger and acquisition-related taxation and other legal affairs.
Naturally, not all foreigners are native English speakers, so the company’s multilingual feature is a premium not many can offer.
Office location: 1-1-2, Yurakucho, Chiyoda-ku
Website: www.ey.com/ja_jp
Phone: 03-3506-2411
YG-International Tax Consulting Firm
Representative: Yoshio Yamaguchi (email)
Language support: Japanese and English
The accounting firm in Tokyo is equipped to help clients on corporate and individual levels — and geared with English service. They prepare corporate registration applications, help tax filling and bookkeeping, as well as help maneuver tax management for large subsidiaries in Japan. On a smaller scale, they offer consultation on Japanese income tax law for residents and non-residents.
As a certified immigration consultant, Yamaguchi can also help foreigners acquire business management visas and consult on tax structures of mergers and acquisitions.
Office location: 7-9-4, Akatsuka, Itabashi-ku
Website: yg-international.jp
Komiyama & Co.
Representative: Mitsuru Komiyama (email)
Language support: Japanese and English
As one of the older-established tax accountants in Tokyo, there’s an extensive service that the 60-year-old group offers, including tax and accounting audits, social insurance services, management consulting and financial planning. They’ve dealt with clients who own assets overseas and clients who are foreign nationals living in Japan.
It just so happens, too, that the firm is also a CPAAI representative in Japan, which connects 150 accounting offices from over 60 countries.
Office location: 3-6-9, Roppongi, Minato-ku
Website: komiyama-cpa.com
Phone: 03-6697-7000
Takashi Yamaguchi Tax Accountant Office
Representative: Takashi Yamaguchi (email)
Language support: Japanese and English
As a bilingual Japanese tax accountant, Takashi Yamaguchi has supplies small and medium-sized enterprises with tax and accounting services. They’re familiar with cross-border transactions and taxation management for foreign corporations in Japan.
Office location: 3-11-2 Kandaogawamachi, Chiyodaku
Website: ty-tax-accountant.com/
Kaneuchi CPA & Tax Advisory Office
Representative: Isamu Kaneuchi (email)
Language support: Japanese, English and French
Office location: 2-1-11, Takada, Toshima-ku
Phone: 050-3598-0136
Seki Takahiro Tax Accounting Office
Representative: Takahiro Seki (email)
Language support: Japanese and English
Takahiro Seki was a registered CPA in Illinois before returning to Japan to give financial services in English to multi-national institutions. He’s collaborated with international entrepreneurs when he became a certified tax accountant. He prepares a special plan for tax returns and provides a comprehensive price list for his consultations.
Office location: 1-6-3 Sangenjaya, Setagaya-ku
Website: sangen-jaya.net
Phone: 03-6479-8355
Akio Shimizu Certified Public Tax Accountant Firm
The Tokyo-based tax accountant and advisor also provides free online consultation. The firm specializes in inheritance tax law and tax affairs in business. In addition to that, you can expect to receive tax advice based and other legal protection services.
Representative: Akio Shimizu (email)
Language support: Japanese and English
Office location: 1-11-6, Tsukuda, Chuo-ku
Website: www.sosapo.org
Phone: 03-5537-5273
Hiroki Kobayashi Tax Firm
Representative: Hiroki Kobayashi (email)
Language support: Japanese and English
Under the accounting firm Day One Tax, Hiroki Kobayashi covers a wide range of professional tax and accounting services in Japan: bookkeeping, tax returns preparations, tax report and bill payments upport.
Office location: 4-11-2, Horikiri, Katsushika-ku
Website: www.dayonetax.com
Budyz Accounting Office
Representative: Hideyuki Hori (email)
Language support: Japanese and English
Besides tax and accounting services, the office can handle office mediation, contract support and business consultations.
Office location: 3-10-2, Akasaka, Minato-ku
Website: budyz.com/
Phone: 03-5544-8580
Sato Tax & Accounting
Representative: Kazuko Sato
Language support: Japanese and English
The tax firm provides general tax accounting services, including settlement of accounts and tax returns, year-end tax adjustments and tax inheritance — which are basically all of your tax problems.
Office location: 2-7-26, Kitaaoyama, Minato-ku
Website: www.tax-sato.com
Phone: 03-5860-6802
Iwamura Tax & Accounting Office
Representative: Hitoshi Iwamura (email)
Language support: Japanese and Korean
An tax accountant to Tokyo boasting bilingual English-Japanese ability is close to common, but what about other languages? This accounting firm, specifically, offers personal tax consultations (income andinheritance) and tax return preparations in Korean.
Office location: 7-15, Nihombashitomizawacho, Chuo-ku
Website: www.iwamura-tax.jp/
Bansho Ito CPA Corporation
Representative: Toshihiko Sano (email)
Language support: Japanese and English
Bansho Ito specializes in tax, payroll, accounting and legal services for multinational corporations in Tokyo. The company set-up specialist assists in structuring businesses in Japan for foreigners, starting from its legal registrations to tax managements.
Office location: 2-12-1, Akebonocho, Tachikawa-shi
Website: bansho-ito.jp/en/
AXESS Accounting Office
Representative: Masanori Sakaguchi (email)
Language support: Japanese, English and Chinese
The accounting office prides on accepting major foreign clients from the US, Taiwan, Hong Kong and India. The’ve accumulated experiences on taxation, financial reporting, payroll management, taxation advisory on foreign capital in Japan. Services are divided into three types of plans: Basic, Advanced and LLP.
Office location: 2-1-1, Otemachi, Chiyoda-ku
Website: www.zeirishi-tokyo.jp/english
TGN Soleil Accounting Firm
Representative: Noriko Nukui (email)
Language support : Japanese and English
With an office based in central Tokyo — just right across the red-bricked Tokyo Station — the accounting firm is equiped with professional specialists, payroll experts and bookkeepers. They give personalized services and advice to meet foreign clients’ business needs
Office location: 3-7-7, Nihombashi, Chuo-ku
Website: tgn-soleil.com/english
Zeirishihoujin Tax Advisors
Representative: Hiromi Ebihara (email)
Language support: Japanese and English
There are three branches to their extensive service, all catering to different international clients i Japan: tax and accounting support for sole proprietors and SME; tax advice on personal property; and asset management and
life planning for single women. They’re among the few certified public tax accountants in Tokyo boasting financial expertise besides accounting.
Office location: 6-25-8, Jingumae, Shibuya-ku
Website: www.tax-advisors.jp/
J Bridge Partners
Representative: Hisatsugu Takizawa and Yasuko Tobioka (email)
Language support: Japanese and English
Office location: 3-4-7, Iwamotocho, Chiyoda-ku
Website: www.jbp-tax.jp
Phone: 03-6240-9241
Moore Shisei Tax Corporation
Representative: Mika Yamada
Language support: Japanese, English, Chinese and Filipino
Office location: 2-2-2, Marunochi, Chiyoda-ku
Website: www.mooreshisei.jp/contact
Nakashima Tax and Accounting Office
Representative: Takayoshi Nakashima
Language support: Japanese and English
The office specializes in multinational corporation and international tax. They’ve helped more than 200 foreign multinational corporations run their business through solid tax advisory servics and reviews. They outsource your accounting, tax, finance and payroll department compliance for efficient tax management.
Office location: 7-1-12, Nishishinjuku, Shinjuku-ku
Website: nakashima-cpa.jp/
Mushiake Tax, Accounting & Business Services
Representative: Kazuko Mushiake (email)
Language support : Japanese and English
Office location: 5-27-32 Minamidai, Nakano-ku
Website: www.mushiaketax.com/
AST Tax Corporation
Representative: Hiroshi Matsuki (email)
Language support: Japanese and English
AST — or Accounting Solutions Tokyo — holds business alliance in an accounting firm in Delhi, India. This allows the company to provide Indian companies do business in Japan (and vice versa). They’re also equiped with the billingual ability to do accounting and tax services for inbound Japanese subsidieres and outbound overseas expansion.
Office location: 3-1-4, Nishishinjuku, Shinjuku-ku
Website: www.ast-tax.jp
Larkins & Associate
Representative: Brad Larkin
Language support : Japanese and English
The firm was founded in 2004 by Brad Larkin, originally handling the US SOX compliance for Japanese subsidiaries of US listed companies. Since then, it has expanded its service lines to financial accounting, including taxation service, month-send service and M&A advisory service.
Office location: 1-27-8, Shinkawa, Chuo-ku
Website: www.jcompliance.com
Phone: 03-3551-4390
Kawai Accounting Office
Representative: Tadanobu Kawai (email)
Language support: Japanese and English
The accounting office smoothens business succession, tax filling procedure and consultations for small and medium-sized enterprises, but you can also expect specialized individual services on inheritance tax and tax advice for high-income foreign residents.
Office location: 1-10-3, Ginza, Chuo-ku
Website: www.kawai-kk.jp
Phone:
Takayama Kazuko Tax Accountant Office
Representative: Kazuko Takayama
Language support: Japanese, English and Chinese
Office location: 13-7, Nihombashiodemmacho, Chuo-ku
Website: takayama-tax.jp/
Takigawa Tax Accountant Office
Representative: Hisako Takigawa (email)
Language support: Japanese and English
Located in minato, Takigawa Tax Accountant Office (or Plus One Service) has been providing accounting and tax advisory services for Japan-based foreign companies since 1993.
Office location: 4-14-14 Nishiazabu, Minato-ku
Website: https://plusoneservice.co.jp/index.html
Minato Tax & Consulting Firm
Representative: Yoshikazu Minato (email)
Language support : Japanese and English
Yoshikazu Minato holds expertise in international tax practice. Bringing experience in inbound support to help overseas business enter the Japanese market, his team doesn’t just address financial needs (tax and accounting advice), but organizational and recruitment issues — and all-in-one outsourcing packag that includes salary and accounting operations.
Office location: 2-2-1 Otemachi, Chiyoda-ku
Website: https://minato-bestpilot.co.jp
Actus Tax Corporation
Representative: Tetsunori Chiba (email)
Language support: Japanese and English
Office location: 3-2-6, Akasaka, Minato-ku
Website: https://www.actus.co.jp/en/
Mori Japanese CPA/TAX Accounting Office
Representative: Makiko Mori (email)
Language support: Japanese and English
Makiko Mori spent over ten years working at EY London. Now, they’re one of the tax accountants in Tokyo to provide comprehensive services on office mediation and contract, accounting, legal and burissiness consultations.
Office location: 5-47-4, Kamitakada, Nakano-ku
Kasai Takashi Zerishi Jimusho
Representative: Takashi Kasai
Language support: Japanese and English
Accumulating 20 years of experience in acounting, tax consulting and immgration services, Kasai provides the tax auditing services to international clients across various industries. He’s worked long-term at an accounting firm in the US before focusing on foreign clients in Japan.
Office location: 6-18-37, Higashikoigakubo, Kokubunji-shi
Website: http://kasaicpa.com/
HLS Global Tax Corporation
Representative: Takashi Iiduka and Hiromi Nakazawa
Language support: Japanese and English
HLS Global Tax Corporation’s competitive advantage roots from their close relationship with their US offices. The international team of tax accountants are located in Japan, US, Mexico and India. Not just local tax service, the company also helps their clients cope with international taxation.
Office location: 2-12-10, Shibadaimon, Minato-ku
Website: hls-global.jp/
Tomihara Tax Office
Representative: Orie Tomihara (email)
Language support : Japanese and Engkish
Office location: 5-2-3, Asakusabashi, Taito-ku
Website: https://scenery-ta.com/english/
Phone: 080-3369-4646
CPTA Iwamoto Office
Representative: Toshihiko Iwamoto (email)
Language support: Japanese and Chinese
Office location: 1-13-6 Ginza, Chuo-ku
Website: https://www.ticpta.com/
Phone: 03-6228-6860
Sugiyama Certified Public Tax Accountants’ Corporation
Representative: Masahiro Sugiyama (email)
Language support: Japanese and English
Office location: Kokai Bld. 6F, 2-8-2, Shibakoen, Minato-ku
Website: http://cpa-sugiyama.jp/
Phone: 03-3433-3600
Ebisu Accounting & Tax, Inc.
Representative: Kenji Kawamura (email)
Language support: Japanese and English
Office location: Seibu Shinkin Bld. 7F, 1-20-2, Ebisunishi, Shibuya-ku
Phone: 03-5456-8252
Maki Itakura Accounting Office
Representative: Maki Itakura (email)
Language support: Japanese and English
Office location: Toa Bld. 2F, 2-1-18, Hamamatsucho, Minato-ku
Website: www.m-itakura.com
Phone: 03-6809-2710
Koyano Tax Accountants Corporation
Representative: Norio Hasegawa and Miyuki Yamaguchi (email)
Language support: Japanese and English
The firm is well-known for providing financial, accounting and tax strategies. However, there are services that are exclusive to Japanse companies and residents, so check the website to make sure you are eligible.
Office location: Yoyogi 1 Chome Bld. 14F, 1-22-1, Yoyogi, Shibuya0ku
Website: www.koyano-cpa.gr.jp/en-service
Phone: 03-5350-7435
Itagaki Financial & Tax Consulting Office
Representative: Koichi Itagaki (email)
Language support : Japanese and English
Office location: 1-11-6, Kitakojiya, Ota-ku
Website: www.itagaki-ac.com/
Phone: 03-3742-6520
Ultimate Tax Corporation
Representative: Takemasa Fujimoto (email)
Language support: Japanese and English
Office location: Kyowa Bld. 5F, 1-5-6, Iidabashi, Chiyoda-ku
Website: tax.ultimate.or.jp/
Phone: 03-6261-4703
VCAT Tax Corporation
Representative: Akira Takano (email)
Language support: Japanese and English
The team has a certified US tax accountant who can help with overseas transaction and parent companies who want to enter Japan. They also give highly specialized support projects in fields such as taxation and accounting.
Office location: J Thanks Dai1 Bld. 6F, 3-1-8, Iwamotocho, Chiyoda-ku
Website: www.vcat-tax.com/
Phone: 03-5825-4054
TOMA Certified Public Tax Accountants Corporation
Representative: Tetsu Saito (email)
Language support: Japanese and English
Office location: Marunouchi Trust Tower Honkan 3F, 1-8-3, Marunochi, Chiyoda-ku
Website: https://toma.co.jp/
Phone: 03-6266-2527
Kazuhiko Chiba & Co.,(ECOVIS APO)
Representative: Kazuhiko Chiba (email)
Language support: Japanese, English and Chinese
Office location: Iidabashi Bld. 7F, 1-18, Agebacho, Shinjuku-ku
Website: www.ecovis.co.jp
Phone: 03-5228-1682
Kaori Fuchi Tax and Consulting
Representative: Kaori Fuchi
Language support: Japanese and English
Kaori Fuchi is one of the tax accountants in Tokyo to supply tax treatment and accounting solutions to cross-border ventures. The firm specialize in global-scaled businesses, with employees who can converse fluently in English.
Office location: 1-31-2, Ebisu, Shibuya-ku
Website: www.kaori-fuchi.com/
Eguma and Associates
Representative: Harumi Eguma (email)
Language support: Japanese and English
Office location: Shinbashi Chuo Bld. 7F, 1-11-5, Nishishimbashi, Minato-ku
Website: www.eguma-cpa.com
UK Partners Tax & Legal Services
Representative: Masaharu Ushijima (email)
Language support: Japanese and English
Office location: 1-20-15, Sendagaya, Shibuya-ku
Website: ukpartners.world.coocan.jp/
PKF Shiodome Partners Tax Corporation
Representative: Kengo Maekawa (email)
Language support: Japanese, English and Chinese
Office location: Dai2 Maruko Bld. 4F, 7-13-8, Ginza, Chuo-ku
Website: https://shiodome.co.jp/spz/
Phone: 03-6228-5505
AIC Tax Co. Tokyo office
Representative: Satoko Miyaoka (email)
Language support: Japanese, English and Chinese
Started in 1991, AIC has suported more than 150 clients across the Kansai and Kanto region, dwelling in many industries through providing high-quality service in tax, accounting and business advisory.
Office location: 2-4-15, Minamiaoyama, Minato-ku
Website: www.aictax.com
Phone: 0120-829-242
Kayano International Tax and Accounting Office
Representative: Takaaki Kayano (email)
Language support: Japanese and English
Takaaki Kayano honed his expertise in advising foreign companies through working at the major accounting firm Earns & Young. He’s also worked abroad in Germany.
Office location: 1-10-11, Higashigotanda, Shinagawa-ku
Website: www.kyno-office.com
Phone: 050-7123-4333
YFP Crea
Representative: Chikara Tamura (email)
Language support: Japanese and English
Office location: Hosoi Bld. 6F, 4-1, Yotsuya, Shinjuku-ku
Website: www.yfpcrea.com/
Phone: 070-5362-1149
Tax Corporation Zeiken
Representative: Yuichi Takamatsu (email)
Language support: Japanese, English, French and German
Office location: Lilac Sanei Bld. 2F, 12-5, Yotsuyasaneicho, Shinjuku0ku
Website: www.zeiken.org
Phone: 03-3359-4731
Tama Tax Tokyo
Representative: Tamami Yamaguchi (email)
Language support: Japanese and English
Office location: 2-5-3, Hitotsubashi, Chiyoda-ku
Website: tamatax.tokyo/
CaN International Tax Corporation
Representative: Shohei Okubo (email)
Language support: Japanese and English
Office location: Daiichi Inamura Bld. 7F, 1-9-2, Nihombashikayabacho, Chuo-ku
Website: www.caninternational.co
Phone: 03-6661-1163
TGN Soleil Accounting Firm
Representative: Hiroko Koido (email)
Language support: Japanese and Engilsh
Office location: 2-30-15, Hatchobori, Chuo-ku
Website: taxguide.tkcnf.com
Phone: 03-6222-8191
Shinagawa Minato Accounting Office
Representative: Toshiaki Watarai
Language support: Japanese and Engish
Office location: 5-11-48, Minamishinagawa, Shinagawa-ku
Website: https://www.shinagawa.pro/
Phone: 050-5362-2394
Visionary International Accounting Firm
Representative: Yumiko Yamamoto
Language support: Japanese and English
Office location: Hiroo Miyata Anex Bld. 2F, -9-15, Hiro, Shibuya-ku
Website: visionary-tax.com
Phone: 03-6459-3036
Musashino Tax Accounting Office
Representative: Takumi Okumura (email)
Language support: Japanese and English
Musashino Tax Corporation has offices in Shinjuku and Mitaka — and a network of experts in various fields. They’re involved in taxation, business management, entrepreneurship, inheritance, and real estate. Services cater to both corporation and individual needs.
Office location: Yajima Bld. 3F, 1-19-2, Nakacho, Musashino-shi
Website: https://mtax.or.jp
Phone: 0422-27-2010
APO-Tax Corporatioin
Representative: Hiroshi Tsumaki
Language support: Japanese and English
Office location: Iidabashi Bld., 1-18, Agebacho, Shinjuku0u
Website: www.apoutsourcing.jp
AKJ Partners
Representative: Hiroko Ogihara
Language support: Japanese and English
Office location: 2-5-1 Atago, Minato-ku
Website: akj-partners.com/
Phone: 03-5777-3480
Shirokane CPA Firm
Representative: Satoshi Shito (email)
Language support: Japanese and English
Another trusted accounting firm in Japan for foreign business is Shirokane CPA firm. The team has helped more than 130 clients in mergers and acquisitions, internal controls, IPO consultations and audits across various industries. They also provide tax fillings in Japan for individuals, complete with tax return preparations, accounting book support and tax advisory.
The firm has a very transparent price list. Depending on the situation and business complexity, they will also be able to prepare a quotation.
Office location: 1-3-11, Kamiosaki, Shinagawa-ku
Website: www.shirokanecpa.com
Phone: 080-1257-5877
Kobayashi Tax (CPA) Office
Representative: Shigeo Kobayashi (email)
Language support: Japanese and English
Shigeo Kobayashi worked at PWC and KPMG — two of the four biggest accounting firms — for more than 40 years before building his own accounting firm. Their strong area of expertise lies in helping companies start their businesses in Japan.
Office location: 1-49-2, Hatsudai, Shibuya-ku
Phone: 080-3794-5203
Tax Related FAQs
Do you need to pay tax in Japan as a foreigner?
All foreign residences in Japan are subjected to taxes. In Japan, you’ll be facing a different set of tax laws and regulations. Combined with language barrier (what’s ‘consumption tax’ in Japanese again?) and cultural differences, becoming a law-abiding foreign taxpayer can easily turn into an impossible quest.
What taxes do I need to pay in Japan?
There are three major tax category you need to notice – Individual Income Tax, Enterprise Tax, and Withholding Income Tax. The income tax system in Japan is based on the principle of a “self-assessment system”, where an individual calculates their own income for the year and the amount of tax by submitting a tax return.