Zagdim Reader Desk · Japan one-to-one assessment

One-to-one assessment for JapanVisas, companies, property and tax

If you want to live in Japan, set up a company there or deal with Japanese property you already own, and are not yet sure whom to approach, you can start here. The Zagdim Reader Desk first listens to your situation and sets out the questions to be settled, then shortlists suitable professionals.

Book a free 20-minute call See what the service covers

Who it is forAnyone unsure which Japan service or professional they need

Handled byAdministrative scriveners, judicial scriveners, certified tax accountants and other Japanese professionals, as the case requires

LanguagesEnglish or Japanese; other languages on request

Reader Desk feeFree of charge

Zagdim Reader DeskZagdim Reader Desk

01 · About the one-to-one assessment

You do not yet know what you need to do. How can the Zagdim Reader Desk help?

You do not need to have chosen a visa, or to have worked out whether you need an administrative scrivener (行政書士), a judicial scrivener (司法書士) or a certified tax accountant (税理士, zeirishi). Start by saying what you want to do in Japan, where you live now and what company or property arrangements you already have, and the Reader Desk will help to set out what you need.

Residence, companies, property and tax can affect one another, and each has its own conditions. Having a company set up does not mean you meet the requirements for Business Manager status, and having tax withheld on a property sale does not mean your return has been filed. Where professional judgement is needed, the relevant specialist is then arranged.

Start from your aim

Say what you want to do; you need not know what the system calls it.

Separate the matters to be handled

Residence, company, property and tax are each confirmed in turn.

Existing arrangements can be reviewed first

A company already formed, a current tenancy or the papers from a property sale can all be the starting point.

Set out the questions and documents first

Establish what is settled and what needs a specialist’s assessment.

Professionals arranged as needed

The relevant specialist explains their professional remit, fees and the next step.

The Reader Desk does not charge at this stage

Later professional services follow the quote; work starts only after you confirm.

Office towers and traffic on a Tokyo business street — Working or starting a company in Japan: set out your aims first

Apartment blocks and a pedestrian crossing on a residential street in Japan — Property and living arrangements: starting from your situation

02 · Who it suits

When a one-to-one assessment for Japan is a good first step

Whether you are still considering, already have a plan, or are part-way through and need clarity, you can start by explaining.

Visas and residence

You want to move to Japan and do not know which status to look at first

Suits: You are considering work, running a business or long-term residence, and want to provide for your family as well.

What to prepare: Start with your nationality, where you live now, your planned activities and your current residence status, then an assessment of status is arranged.

Company and business

You want to set up a company, but the steps are not yet in order

Suits: Company, address, bank, visa and tax filing all need handling, and you are unsure of the sequence.

What to prepare: Start by setting out the business plan, the company’s status and what the address is used for, then confirm each professional service.

Property in Japan

Whether to let, change manager or sell

Suits: You already own property in Japan and are comparing a management agreement, a sublease or a sale.

What to prepare: Start with the property, the tenancy and how it is held, then professionals are shortlisted according to whether you need management or a transaction.

Tax and records

You have received a bill or had tax withheld and want to know what to do

Suits: You are unsure whom to approach about filing in Japan, a tax agent (nozei kanrinin) or a refund after a sale.

What to prepare: Start by setting out your residence position, sources of income and the documents you have received, then a suitable certified tax accountant in Japan is shortlisted.

If you already have an application due date, a filing deadline or a transaction date, say so at the outset so that the specialist can check the timing.

Zagdim Reader DeskWe listen to your situation first, then arrange a professional

03 · Reader Desk

How the Zagdim Reader Desk helps

The Reader Desk first listens to your aims and current arrangements, sets out the questions and documents to be dealt with, and explains which kind of specialist each is suited to. Where further assessment or handling is needed, the relevant Japanese professional is then arranged; the scope of service and the fee are explained by the professional.

English or Japanese

Set out what you need first, then shortlist professionals

01
Understand your situation
What you want to do and how far you have got.
02
Set out the questions
What is settled and what still needs assessment.
03
Shortlist professionals
According to your visa, company, property or tax needs.
04
Confirm the next step
Decide once you understand the professional’s remit and quote.

04 · Costs and timing

The Reader Desk and later professional fees, explained separately

Official fees and taxes

Calculated on the matters that applyConfirmed against the later application or transaction

Once the matters to be handled are settled, the applicable official fees, taxes and how they are paid are checked.

Professional fees

As quoted by the professionalConsultation, assessment and handling are each confirmed separately

The professional sets out the scope of service, the fee and the payment arrangements; work starts only after you confirm.

Zagdim Reader Desk

No charge at this stageOrganising information and arranging a professional

The Reader Desk does not charge readers at this stage.

When is it a good time to contact the Reader Desk?

You can explain your aim even before deciding which service you need. If you have received a notice, are about to sign a contract or face a definite deadline, tell us the type of document and the date as well. Calls and professional assessments are arranged according to your needs and the specialist’s availability.

Tokyo Tower and the city skyline lit up at dusk

JAPAN · READER DESK

Whatever the matter in Japan, start by setting out your situation

Start with the one thing you most want to deal with; you need not have chosen a service.

05 · Getting started

Book a one-to-one assessment for Japan

Send a message saying where you live now, what you want to do in Japan and the question you most want settled first. If you already have a Japanese company, property or status of residence, mention it too, and the Reader Desk will then confirm which documents are needed.

WhatsApp Email the Reader Desk

The Zagdim Reader Desk handles contact and follow-up.

Fill in the assessment form (about 2 minutes)

If a messaging app is not convenient, leave your details and the Zagdim Reader Desk will reply by WhatsApp or email.

01What you most want to settle now
02What company, property and residence arrangements you have
03Which documents or deadlines need looking at first
04Which kind of specialist is right for the next step

06 · Common questions

One-to-one assessment for Japan: common questions

I have not decided whether to work in Japan or start a company there. Can we talk first?

Yes. Start with your aims, work background and business ideas. The Reader Desk sets out the questions to be settled and then arranges the relevant specialist to assess them; you need not have chosen a visa.

I want to set up a company and apply for Business Manager status. Can both be looked at here?

Yes, your needs can be set out together first. Company registration and Business Manager status of residence have different conditions; capital, staffing, the place of business and the application documents are then assessed by the relevant professionals.

I want to know whether I have enough points as a Highly Skilled Professional. Do I start here too?

Yes. Start with your education, work background, remuneration and the work you will do in Japan, then a suitable professional is shortlisted to check the points and evidence for your category of activity.

I already own a home in Japan and only want to deal with collecting rent or selling. Is that possible?

Yes. Start with where the property is, whether it is let and whether there is a management agreement. Management, sublease and sale needs are set out separately, then the relevant specialist is arranged.

I own property in another country as well as in Japan. Does that affect my Japanese tax filing?

Your residence position, how the property is held and your income records are set out first, then a certified tax accountant makes the assessment. Tax status in Japan depends on conditions such as domicile and residence; it cannot be decided from nationality or from owning property in a particular place.

Can I ask first on behalf of a family member, employer or client?

Yes. Start by explaining your relationship to the person concerned, what they need and the information they have agreed may be shared. For further assessment or handling, the specialist then confirms which parts require the person’s own involvement or authorisation.

Is there a charge for the initial conversation? Do I have to engage someone afterwards?

The Zagdim Reader Desk does not charge at this stage. Later professional consultation, assessment or handling is quoted separately by the professional, and you decide whether to engage once you understand the scope and the fee.

Not yet sure what you need to do? Start by telling us your situation.

Ask Zagdim to shortlist the right professional

The Zagdim Reader Desk helps to set out your needs and documents and to arrange professionals; an initial conversation does not replace professional judgement on your individual case in law, tax or status of residence. Later matters are handled according to law by suitably qualified Japanese professionals, and the outcome of any application or transaction is determined by the authority concerned or by the terms of the transaction. Information checked to 28 October 2026.

One-to-one assessment for JapanVisas, companies, property and tax

You do not yet know what you need to do. How can the Zagdim Reader Desk help?

When a one-to-one assessment for Japan is a good first step

You want to move to Japan and do not know which status to look at first

You want to set up a company, but the steps are not yet in order

Whether to let, change manager or sell

You have received a bill or had tax withheld and want to know what to do

How the Zagdim Reader Desk helps

Understand your situation

Set out the questions

Shortlist professionals

Confirm the next step