Google and Microsoft avoid fines in Japan by registering global HQs

Jul 26 (Nikkei) - Google, Microsoft and 11 other foreign multinationals have moved to comply with a Japanese legal requirement to register their global headquarters, it was revealed Monday.

For taxation and and consumer protection purposes, foreign companies operating continuously in Japan must register their overseas headquarters.

But many tech multinationals have registered only their Japanese arms. The Ministry of Justice told 48 companies this March to file the paperwork, Nikkei reported in June.

Google, Facebook owner Meta Platforms and Twitter are among 31 companies that indicated a willingness to comply. Of these, 13 had applied to register by the deadline of this past Friday, according to the Justice Ministry.

Six of the 13 had completed the registration process as of Monday afternoon, Nikkei has learned. These include Google and Microsoft.

Four companies have informed the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications that they will end operations in Japan, making them no longer subject to the registration requirement. The remaining 14 have yet to submit applications. ...continue reading

Source: テレ東BIZ

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