Form a US LLC from Japan | US Market Entry | USLLCGlobal — $549
🇺🇸 +1 (347) 761-3695🇬🇧 +44 (20) 3807-8129🇿🇼 +263 861 200 6281🇿🇦 +27 (11) 568-2500
Home›Countries› Japan

Form a US LLC from Japan — Expand Into US Markets

Last updated: April 24, 2026 · By Shepherd Nyakudya, Founder of USLLCGlobal

Japan is the world's third-largest economy, but Japanese businesses expanding into the US need a local entity. A US LLC provides the fastest, simplest path to US market entry — with full Stripe, US banking, and e-commerce capability from Tokyo, Osaka, or anywhere in Japan.

Form My LLC — $349 →💬 WhatsApp Us
🇯🇵
Japan-focused
1-5
Days to form
$349
Service fee
#3 Global
Economy

Recommended for Japanese founders

$549Business Ready

LLC + same-day EIN + US bank account guidance + Stripe walkthrough. State filing fee included.

  • ✓ LLC filed with Secretary of State
  • ✓ EIN — same-day by phone
  • ✓ Registered agent (1 year)
  • ✓ Operating Agreement
  • ✓ US bank account guidance
  • ✓ Stripe connection walkthrough
  • ✓ Priority support
See All Packages — From $349 →

Secure payment via Stripe.

✓ All state fees included
✓ EIN included with Business Ready
✓ No hidden charges
🔒 Stripe secure payments
🇯🇵 Japan founders welcome
The Problem

Japanese businesses face US expansion complexity

🚫 What Japan entrepreneurs face

  • ❌ Setting up a US subsidiary through Japanese legal channels is expensive ($5,000-20,000+) and time-consuming
  • ❌ Japanese corporate structures (KK, GK) are not recognised by US banks and payment processors
  • ❌ Stripe Japan settles in JPY only with limited cross-border features
  • ❌ US bank account opening typically requires in-person visits for Japanese nationals
  • ❌ Language barriers complicate direct dealings with US state authorities and the IRS
  • ❌ E-commerce sellers on Amazon US and Shopify need US banking and tax ID

✅ What a US LLC gives you

  • 🟢 US LLC formed in days for $349 — fraction of the cost of traditional expansion
  • 🟢 Full US Stripe account with USD settlement
  • 🟢 US bank account opened remotely — no travel needed
  • 🟢 We handle all filings in English with US authorities
  • 🟢 Amazon US, Shopify, and all US e-commerce platforms immediately accessible
  • 🟢 Simple LLC structure — no board of directors or annual shareholder meetings
Why Japanese Entrepreneurs Choose a US LLC

Tokyo to New York — without the flight

Japan's e-commerce exports to the US are growing rapidly. A US LLC is the simplest way for Japanese businesses to establish a US commercial presence.

💳

US Stripe Account

Accept payments in USD globally. Japanese Stripe accounts are JPY-only. A US LLC gives you a full US Stripe account with all features.

🏦

US Bank Account

Open a US bank account remotely. No branch visit needed. We handle documentation in English for Mercury, Relay, or Wise Business.

🛒

E-Commerce Ready

Sell on Amazon US, Shopify, Etsy, and other US platforms using your US LLC. Tax-compliant with EIN for 1099 reporting.

💱

USD + JPY

Earn in USD, hold in a stable currency, transfer to JPY via Wise when rates are favourable. Excellent for managing yen volatility.

🏢

Affordable Expansion

Traditional US subsidiary setup costs $5,000-20,000+. A US LLC costs $349. Same legal standing for most commercial purposes.

🛡️

Simple Structure

No board of directors, no annual shareholder meetings, no minimum capital. Wyoming LLCs are the simplest US business structure.

How It Works

From Japan to US LLC in four steps

1

Choose Your State

Wyoming for most Japanese founders. Delaware if seeking US VC investment.

2

We File Your LLC

Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State. You provide your details, we handle everything. 1-5 business days.

3

EIN Same-Day

We call the IRS and get your Employer Identification Number issued the same day. This is your business tax ID for banking and Stripe.

4

Bank + Stripe Setup

We guide you through US bank account applications and Stripe registration. You apply directly with the bank — we prepare your documents.

Transparent Pricing

Choose your package — Japan founders

From $349. Same-day EIN with Business Ready ($549). Stripe access. No SSN required. State filing fee included in every LLC package.

Business Ready
$549
LLC + EIN + Bank guidance
  • ✓ Everything in Essential
  • ✓ EIN — same-day by phone
  • ✓ US bank account application guidance
  • ✓ Mercury / Wise / Relay onboarding help
  • ✓ Stripe connection walkthrough
  • ✓ Document preparation for bank KYC
  • ✓ Priority support
Get Started →
Essential
$349
LLC + Registered Agent
  • ✓ LLC filed with Secretary of State
  • ✓ State filing fee included
  • ✓ Registered agent — 1 year included
  • ✓ Operating Agreement (customised)
  • ✓ Digital delivery of all documents
Get Started →
Complete
$999
Everything + Form 5472 (avoids $25K penalty)
  • ✓ Everything in Business Ready
  • ✓ Form 5472 filing — year 1 included
  • ✓ Pro-forma 1120 filing — year 1 included
  • ✓ Annual report filing — year 1 included
  • ✓ Compliance monitoring — year 1
  • ✓ Avoids the $25,000 IRS penalty
  • ✓ Priority phone + WhatsApp support
Get Started →
EIN Only
$199
EIN for already-formed LLCs
  • ✓ EIN obtained from IRS by phone
  • ✓ Same-day in most cases
  • ✓ SS-4 form prepared and filed
  • ✓ EIN confirmation letter delivered
  • ✓ For LLCs already formed elsewhere
Get Started →

All prices in USD. State filing fee included in every LLC package. Add-ons (business plan, foreign-state registration, expedited filing) sold separately on the order page.

Banking

US bank accounts for Japan LLC owners

US neobanks accept Japanese LLC owners. We prepare all documentation in English and guide you through the application.

Recommended

Mercury

The most popular choice for non-resident founders. Full US checking account, debit card, and ACH transfers. Mercury requires a genuine US business address. We arrange a virtual office address.

Popular

Relay

Business banking built for small businesses. Multiple checking accounts, profit-first budgeting. Accepts non-resident LLC owners with proper documentation.

Multi-Currency

Wise Business

Hold and convert 40+ currencies. Excellent for transferring USD back to Japan at real mid-market exchange rates. Low transfer fees.

⚠️ Mandatory Annual Compliance

Every foreign-owned LLC must file Form 5472

$25,000 penalty for not filing

If you own a US LLC as a Japan citizen, the IRS requires you to file Form 5472 with a pro-forma Form 1120 every year — even if your LLC had zero revenue. The penalty for missing this filing is $25,000 per form, per year. Our compliance bundle handles this for you.

Protect Your LLC — $999/year →
Tax Overview

What Japan LLC owners need to know

US Tax Obligations

  • → Single-member LLCs are disregarded entities for US tax
  • → No US tax on non-US-source income
  • → Form 5472 required annually
  • → Wyoming: no state income tax
  • → BOI eliminated March 2025

Japan Tax Considerations

  • → Japan taxes residents on worldwide income — consult your zeirishi (tax accountant)
  • → Japan has a comprehensive tax treaty with the United States
  • → NTA (National Tax Agency) reporting obligations may apply
  • → We are not tax advisors — consult licensed professionals in both jurisdictions
FAQ

Questions from Japan founders

Can I form a US LLC from Japan?
Yes. The entire process is remote. No US visa, SSN, or physical presence required. We handle all English-language filings.
Is this cheaper than a traditional US subsidiary?
Significantly. Traditional setup through Japanese legal and accounting firms costs $5,000-20,000+. Our LLC formation is $349 with service fee.
Can I sell on Amazon US with a US LLC?
Yes. A US LLC with EIN is exactly what Amazon US requires for professional seller accounts. You can also sell on Shopify, Etsy, and eBay US.
How do I transfer money to Japan?
Wise Business offers excellent USD to JPY rates. Faster and cheaper than bank wire transfers.
Do I need to speak English to work with you?
Our services are conducted in English, but we provide clear documentation and straightforward processes. Most of our Japanese clients work with us in English without issues.
What is Form 5472?
IRS information return required annually. $25,000 penalty for non-filing. Our compliance service ($999/year) handles this.
GK or LLC — what is the difference?
A GK (Godo Kaisha) is a Japanese entity similar to an LLC. A US LLC is a US entity. They serve different purposes. If you need US market access, you need a US LLC.
Annual costs?
Wyoming: $60/year. Our compliance bundle: $999/year all-in.
SN
About the author
Shepherd Nyakudya
Founder, USLLCGlobal · IRS Third-Party Designee

Shepherd founded USLLCGlobal to help non-US residents form US LLCs and obtain EINs without an SSN, without a visit, and without guesswork. As an authorised IRS Third-Party Designee, he files Form SS-4 directly with the IRS International EIN line and has guided entrepreneurs from over 40 countries through formation, banking access, and Stripe onboarding. Read more on the about page.

Ready to expand into the US market?

LLC formed in days. EIN same-day. US banking and Stripe access. The simplest path from Japan to the American market.

Form My LLC — $349 →

Or call us: 🇺🇸 +1 (347) 761-3695 · 🇬🇧 +44 (20) 3807-8129

Explore More

Related Countries

Other countries where we help entrepreneurs form US LLCs:

View all countries →