Introduction
The previous article introduced the main methods of business financing.
In this article, we will introduce you Japan Finance Corporation in detail, which is the largest public financial institution and one of the most popular financial institutions for startup companies in Japan. It also has established its English website so that foreigners can know more about their business.
https://www.jfc.go.jp/n/english/
What is the Japan Finance Corporation?
Japan Finance Corporation (JFC)=日本政策金融公庫 is a public corporation wholly owned by the Japanese government, established on October 1, 2008, as the result of the merger of four policy-based financing institutions. As a comprehensive government-affiliated financial institution inaugurated to better serve society and help promote a bright and prosperous future, JFC offers a wide spectrum of services by drawing on the combined expertise of the respective fields of operations.
JFC’s primary mission is to meet the capital needs, including small sums, of those starting new businesses, those dealing with natural disasters or a change in business environment, and to serve the capital procurement needs of Japan’s medium-and small-businesses and micro-businesses and those engaged in business in the fields of agriculture, forestry, or fisheries.
Am I eligible for a loan from JFC？
It is possible for foreigners to start a business in Japan with the help of financing from the JFC as well. However, some prerequisites listed below must be met. On this basis, you can apply for financing of the JFC in the same process as the Japanese.
If you want to start a business from now.
- Have a Permanent Residence or Invest/Business manager visa.
If you do not have a Visa that allows you to stay in Japan for a long time or the time you are overseas is longer than that you stay in Japan, you will not be able to get a loan.
- You have saved funds by yourself for starting a business for more than a year.
Even if you have a lot of money, if you can’t prove that it is your deposit that you have made since at least one year ago, you can’t finance. Also, If you are in debt, you can not get a loan.
- You can disclose your passbook.
This is because the original passbook must be disclosed in the interview with the JFC.
- Make sure your loan is used for business and not for other purposes.
Even for business use, in the case of real estate investment, the examination is quite strict.
- Have the latest 2 year tax return document.
Financing is difficult if you don’t have working experience in Japan.
- Have experience in business that you are going to start.
Financing is difficult if you start a business with no experience in the past.
- Credit record is intact
Financing is difficult if your credit score was damaged before.
- You can disclose family information.
Financing will be difficult If the remittance history of overseas is confirmed. Moreover, if you remit the loans overseas, you will be on the blacklist.
If you have already established a corporation in Japan and have passed one term or more.
- Have a Permanent Residence or Invest/Business manager visa.
- You can prepare financial statements (for the last two terms)
If you don’t finish your business for 2 years, bring it for 1 year and trial balance sheet together. According to the financial statement, it will be decided that you can pass funding or not.
- Pay taxes completely.
- The credit record is intact.
Financing is difficult if your credit score was damaged before.
- You can disclose family information.
Financing will be difficult If the remittance history of overseas is confirmed. Moreover, if you remit the loans overseas, you will be on the blacklist.
What is the procedure?
- In the case of SMEs
1.Consultation
Consult directly with the SME business window of each branch of JFC. Consultation is also available on the phone or the nearest Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
If you have your own documents such as Company Profile, Financial Statement, and Business Plan, JFC can respond to more specific consultations.
2.Application
Please submit the necessary materials when considering financing. The main documents to be prepared are as follows, but please provide supplementary materials if necessary.
- Reference materials such as company information and product catalogs
- Corporate registration certificate
- Financial statements and tax returns for the latest three terms
- Tax certificate
- Recent trial balance (from the closing month)
- The overview document about capital investment(such as a quotation)
- Documents showing the contents of the collateral (Certificate of Registered Matters etc.)
3.Examination
In order to have a deep understanding of the contents of the business plan, the staff of JFC will visit your company’s headquarters to talk about the business location, the financing and etc.
4.Financing
Once the loan is decided, a loan agreement should be set up.
After completing the loan agreement, mortgage setting and other procedures, JFC will send the money to the customer.
5.Repayment
Repayment will be made automatically from the account of the customer’s financial institution by the principal equal monthly payment.
Conclusion
Financing through JFC is the first choice for foreigners starting a business in Japan because of its high security and low-interest rate compared to market interest rates. But relatively, the application conditions will be stricter than other methods. But if you meet the application requirements and have all the necessary documents, you can have a try.
Notes for the readers:
Please use this article only as a reference, not as a legal guideline. Therefore, sugee.jp will take no responsibility or liability, so far as legally possible, for any consequences of your actions. This article is written by Chen Xin, a SUGEE writer, on 9 April 2020.
Reference
[1]外国籍の方が日本政策金融公庫から融資を受けられるかのチェックリスト | 融資のことで悩んだら【資金調達ノート】. 資金調達ノート. (2020). Retrieved 8 April 2020, from https://start-note.com/manuals/before-starting-business/preparation/144/.
[2]融資制度一覧から探す｜日本政策金融公庫. Jfc.go.jp. (2020). Retrieved 8 April 2020, from https://www.jfc.go.jp/n/finance/search/index.html#sme.
