Supporting a Singapore Auto Parts Exporter in Strengthening Its Japan Base
Overseas Expansion Consultancy
| Client Profile | Industry / Sector Export of used auto parts and vehicles Headquarters Singapore Main Markets UAE, Malaysia, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Nigeria, Egypt Japan Subsidiary Established in November 2022 Business Scale Active international trading company, not a large enterprise |
| Challenges Before Support | ・Needed to update corporate registration: -Change of registered office (to another prefecture) -Change of Representative Director ・Required changes to the antique dealer permit (古物商許可証) due to relocation ・Management members needed Business Manager visas to operate legally in Japan ・Communication and hiring issues: -Both visa applicants did not speak Japanese -Few bilingual candidates available, high salaries, and inconvenient office location made recruitment difficult -On-demand interpreter search attempted but unsuccessful ・Risk of delays from HQ–Japan communication lag |
| MAY Planning’s Solutions | We provided step-by-step support across three main procedures: Corporate Registration Filed amendments for office relocation and change of Representative Director License Update Applied for change of antique dealer permit to align with new office location and new Representative Director Visa Applications ・Prepared and submitted “Business Manager” visa applications for Singaporean management members ・Coordinated documentation and evidence of business continuity (JPY 5,000,000 investment) |
| Results & Impact | Achievements Delivered: ・Corporate registration changes completed (office relocation + Representative Director update) ・Antique dealer permit successfully updated to new address and new Representative Director ・1 management member’s Business Manager visa approved (status: granted) ・1 Visa application process paused at client’s request, but all documents prepared and ready for future resumption ・By completing all legal procedures, the Japanese subsidiary now has a fully compliant and operational foundation recognized by regulators, banks, and partners |
| Success Keys & Pitfalls to Watch | Success Keys ・Clear leadership decision-making (Director change and relocation) ・Availability of funding (JPY 5,000,000 investment) demonstrating stability Pitfalls to Watch ・Recruiting bilingual staff in Japan is difficult and costly ・Visa application timelines may be affected by internal client decisions ・Parallel procedures (registration + license + visas) create complexity, requiring strict schedule management |
| Key Learnings from This Case | ・Market entry is not finished at incorporation — registration amendments, license updates, and visa procedures are equally complex and need professional support ・Even companies that are not large enterprises can efficiently build a Japan base with the right professional partner ・Foreign executives without Japanese language ability face major HR challenges, making bilingual staffing a critical point ・Specialist guidance is essential not only for company establishment but also for ongoing compliance and visa support |
