GUIDE · RECRUITING
Recruitment agency license in Japan
有料職業紹介事業の許可Yuryo shokugyo shokai — for placement agencies
Bilingual recruiting is a common business for foreign founders. Charging fees for job placement in Japan needs a license from the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare.
Net assets
¥5M
Per office
Cash
¥1.5M+
Own name, plus ¥600K per extra office
Office
~20 m²
Usable for placement work
Banned
2 fields
Construction and port transport work
Main requirements
| Requirement | Standard |
|---|---|
| Net assets | Assets (excluding deferred assets and goodwill) minus liabilities of at least ¥5 million × number of offices |
| Cash and deposits | In your own name, at least ¥1.5 million plus ¥600,000 for each additional office |
| Placement manager | At each office, a dedicated employee with 3+ years of work experience as an adult who completed the placement manager course |
| Office | Roughly 20 m² or more usable for placement work |
Fee-charging placement is not allowed for construction work or port transport work. Applicants and officers must also pass the disqualification checks.
How the process runs
- 01
Consult the labor bureau 相談
Your prefectural labor bureau explains the requirements.
- 02
Take the manager course 責任者講習
The placement manager must complete it within five years before the application.
- 03
Prepare and apply 申請
Through the labor bureau, to the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare.
- 04
Review and license 許可
Allow several months before you can start charging fees.
FAQ
Do I need a license to run a recruitment agency in Japan?
Yes. Charging fees for job placement needs a fee-charging job placement license from the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare, applied for through the labor bureau.
How much capital do I need for a recruitment license in Japan?
Net assets of at least ¥5 million per office, and at least ¥1.5 million in cash or deposits in your own name, plus ¥600,000 for each extra office.
Can a recruitment agency place construction workers?
No. Fee-charging placement is not allowed for construction work or port transport work.
Sources
- Job placement business — licensing and renewal manual — Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare
- Fee-charging job placement — license requirements — Osaka Labour Bureau
This page is a plain-English summary, not legal advice. The official Japanese guidelines always take priority.
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