An employer of record in Japan becomes your staff’s legal employer, so you can hire there without registering a local company. Below, I review 10 providers that offer this service in October 2026.
Easy Recruitment with Employer of Record Japan
Japan remains one of the world’s most advanced economies and is ranked 4th by nominal GDP in the IMF’s April 2026 projections. Tokyo is a leading business city, and the country’s strength in automation and engineering keeps foreign firms interested. Employment customs are strict, though, with long tenures and careful labor law compliance.
Setting up a kabushiki kaisha or godo kaisha takes time and money, so many companies first test demand through EOR Japan services. Under the Employer of Record model, the provider carries the employment paperwork, payroll and insurance while your managers lead the work.
Working with an EOR in Japan also means working with a licensed dispatch business, a point I cover below. This update lists 10 providers: 6 Japan-based firms and 4 global platforms.
INSIGHT: What does a Japanese hire cost beyond gross salary?
Statutory employer contributions add roughly 15.4% to pay for a Tokyo employee under 40, and a new levy added in April 2026 sits on top of that.
- Welfare pension 9.15% and health insurance about 4.925% (Tokyo) from the employer, plus 0.81% long-term care for employees aged 40 to 64.
- New from April 2026: the child and childcare support levy, 0.23% split equally, scheduled to rise through 2028.
- Employment insurance: 0.85% from the employer in FY2026, down from 0.9%.
- Minimum wage: national weighted average of JPY 1,177 per hour as new prefectural rates take effect from October 2026 (JPY 1,280 in Tokyo).
Sources:
- Japan Pension Service
- Kyokai Kenpo FY2026 rates
- Children and Families Agency
- MHLW, employment insurance
- MHLW, minimum wage list
as of October 2026
How Does an Employer of Record Work in Japan?
How do I hire employees in Japan through an EOR? You select the candidate and agree on the salary, and the provider signs the employment contract and issues the written working-conditions notice. It then enrolls the employee in social and labor insurance and runs monthly payroll with tax withholding and the year-end adjustment. If it offers visa sponsorship, it handles that too, while your team directs the daily work.
Japanese law treats this setup as worker dispatch. Since September 2018, a company that employs staff and places them under a client’s direction needs its own worker dispatch license from the MHLW. A dispatched worker can generally stay in the same client unit for up to 3 years.
INSIGHT: What license does an employer of record need in Japan?
An EOR in Japan employs your staff and places them under your direction, which Japanese law treats as worker dispatch. The provider therefore needs its own dispatch license.
- The license requirement has applied to EOR and PEO arrangements since September 2018.
- Licenses appear in a public MHLW register, so you can check a provider’s license number before signing.
- Using a provider that borrows another company’s license exposes both the employee and the client.
What Is the Best Employer of Record in Japan?
No single provider fits every company. Japan-based firms suit teams that need Japanese-language HR support, recruitment and deep local compliance. That is why many buyers find the best employer of record in Japan close to home.
Global platforms make sense when Japan is one of several markets and a shared dashboard matters more than local recruiting. Either way, the best EOR services in Japan pass one basic test first: the provider can show its own dispatch license number.
I applied that test when choosing the best EOR providers for hiring in Japan for this page. The 6 Japan-based firms come first, followed by the 4 global platforms.
6 Local Businesses Offering Japan EOR Services
Each Japan employer of record in this section is headquartered in Japan or runs its business through its own Japanese company. Several started in recruitment, accounting, or HR outsourcing and added EOR later.
Because they handle employer of record services Japan-wide every day, most of them also offer recruitment, incorporation, or accounting help through bilingual teams. That mix helps when the first hire also needs a work visa or a company bank account.
I list these firms alphabetically, and the order is not a ranking.
Boyd & Moore
Company Description
Boyd & Moore is not a typical employer of record company: Japan is the founding market of this executive search firm. Today its consultants cover 6 markets, from Korea to Singapore. Its market entry service can combine incorporation, payroll, work visas and an EOR or PEO setup with critical early hiring.
Key Specialty Area
Executive search with market entry and EOR support
Service Cost
Pricing upon request
Top Advantages
- Leadership hiring and market entry support from one firm
- Work visa and immigration coordination
- Incorporation, tax and benefits setup on request
Scope of Services
- EOR or PEO arrangement
- Payroll and compliance
- Executive search and early hiring
- Incorporation and banking introductions
My take:
Boyd & Moore suits a company whose first Japanese hire is a country manager it still has to find.
Our Verdict
Leadership-Focused Market Entry Partner
GoGlobal
Company Description
GoGlobal has been in global expansion services since 2018 and lists teams in 145+ countries. As an EOR provider, Japan is its home ground, since the group is headquartered in Tokyo. GoGlobal Japan reports its own dispatch license and Ministry of Justice certification as a Support Organization for foreign employees.
Key Specialty Area
Asia-led global EOR with a Japanese dispatch license
Service Cost
Pricing upon request
Top Advantages
- Own dispatch license in Japan, per the company
- BlueOcean platform for global payroll
- Single point of management across countries
Scope of Services
- Employer of Record (EOR)
- Contractor management (AOR)
- Entity setup and company secretarial work
- International HR consulting
My take:
I would shortlist GoGlobal when Japan is the first step in a wider Asian rollout.
Our Verdict
Trusted APAC Expansion Partner
Kreston ProWorks
Company Description
Kreston ProWorks was established in Tokyo in 2007 and belongs to Kreston Global, a network of 750+ member offices in 110+ countries. As an employer of record provider in Japan, it calls the service Managed Consultant Services and pairs it with personnel dispatch, accounting and payroll support.
Key Specialty Area
Accounting-backed EOR and on-demand professionals
Service Cost
Available on request
Top Advantages
- Bilingual accounting, tax and HR team in Akasaka
- Professionals with Big 4 and Fortune 500 backgrounds
- Company formation and visa support in-house
Scope of Services
- Managed Consultant Services (EOR)
- Personnel dispatch and recruitment support
- Payroll, HR and accounting
- Company formation and business licenses
My take:
Kreston ProWorks fits companies that want the same Tokyo firm to handle payroll and books.
Our Verdict
SME-Focused Compliance Partner
Okawa Global
Company Description
Okawa Co., Ltd. is a Tokyo recruitment and staffing company in Chiyoda that focuses on foreign-affiliated firms and bilingual talent. It holds a worker dispatch license and offers EOR services in Japan that cover contracts, social insurance enrollment, payroll and work visa applications.
Key Specialty Area
Bilingual staffing and EOR for foreign-affiliated companies
Service Cost
Custom pricing per engagement
Top Advantages
- Worker dispatch license (13-316558)
- Large pool of bilingual candidates
- Bank account and permit application support
Scope of Services
- Employer of Record
- Staffing and recruitment
- Labor management and attendance setup
- Work visa applications
My take:
Okawa is a good match for a sales or support hire who must work in both Japanese and English.
Our Verdict
New Market Entry Specialist
TG Japan
Company Description
TG Japan is the Japanese arm of TG Group, a Singapore-headquartered workforce solutions provider active in 50 markets. From offices in Tokyo and Kitakyushu, it runs Japan EOR alongside recruitment, payroll outsourcing, and contingent workforce management.
Key Specialty Area
Integrated HR support with EOR coverage
Service Cost
Available on request
Top Advantages
- Offices in Tokyo and Kitakyushu
- Backed by TG Group’s EOR reach across 50 markets
- Recruitment and payroll outsourcing in-house
Scope of Services
- Global Employer of Record
- Recruitment process outsourcing
- Payroll process outsourcing
- Contingent workforce management
My take:
TG Japan makes sense when you also need temporary or contract staff in Japan.
Our Verdict
HR Network-Backed EOR Provider
weConnect
Company Description
weConnect is a global back-office provider that offers EOR and PEO alongside entity setup and compliance. Its Japan team combines EOR services, Japan payroll and social insurance filings with incorporation, bank account setup, accounting and visa support.
Key Specialty Area
Foreign firm back-office and employment support
Service Cost
Custom
Top Advantages
- Entity setup in Japan in 2 to 4 weeks, per its site
- Payroll specialists, social security attorneys, and labor lawyers in-house
- English-language financial reporting
Scope of Services
- Employer of Record and PEO
- Payroll and statutory benefit filings
- Accounting and tax compliance
- Corporate secretarial and visa support
My take:
weConnect is the one I would call when EOR is a bridge to a Japanese entity within a year.
Our Verdict
Back-Office EOR and Payroll Expert
4 Global Businesses Offering Japan EOR Services
Global platforms fit companies that already hire in several countries and want one contract, one invoice and one dashboard. Most of these EOR solutions, Japan included, publish a starting fee, which makes budgeting easier.
As above, alphabetical order applies and implies no preference.
Deel
Company Description
Deel is a global HR platform that hires and pays staff in Japan for companies without a local entity. The Deel employer of record Japan service covers contracts, payroll, social insurance and benefits, with PEO for companies that already have a Japanese entity.
Key Specialty Area
All-in-one global EOR and payroll
Service Cost
$599 monthly per Japanese employee and up
Top Advantages
- Start in as little as 3 days, per the Deel Japan employer of record official page
- Compliance handled by Deel’s own 250+ person expert team
- A PEO route if you later register a Japanese entity
Scope of Services
- Employer of Record
- PEO
- Global payroll
- Benefits administration
My take:
The Deel employer of record Japan official page shows a management fee from $599 a month. It also lists the employer cost at about 17% of salary, a figure I use for initial budgeting.
Our Verdict
Fast Platform With a Japanese Entity
*As pricing is subject to change, we are listing prices as they stand in October 2026
Oyster
Company Description
Oyster helps companies hire, pay and reward people in Japan without a local entity of their own. The Oyster employer of record Japan service sits next to contractor payments and People Partner HR advice.
Key Specialty Area
EOR platform for distributed teams
Service Cost
$699 for each full-time employee per month
Top Advantages
- G2 awards for easiest admin and best ROI, per the Oyster Japan employer of record official page
- Contractor payments from $29 a month
- Hourly HR guidance from People Partners ($300 an hour)
Scope of Services
- Employer of Record
- Global contractors
- Employee benefits
- HR advisory
My take:
The Oyster employer of record Japan official page lists its $699 monthly fee upfront. I find that helpful when I budget a first hire before any sales call.
Our Verdict
Distributed-Team Platform
*As pricing is subject to change, we are listing prices as they stand in October 2026
Remote
Company Description
Remote owns its legal entity in Japan and runs its EOR work in-house, without third parties. The Remote employer of record Japan service covers payroll, localized benefits and compliance while you manage the work.
Key Specialty Area
Owned-entity global EOR
Service Cost
$699 monthly for each employee
Top Advantages
- Own legal entity, per the Remote Japan employer of record official page
- Dedicated local specialists, all in-house
- HR Essentials included as standard
Scope of Services
- Employer of Record
- Japanese payroll once you run your own entity
- Benefits administration
- Contractor payments
My take:
The Remote employer of record Japan official page shows a $699 monthly fee, the same as in other countries. I treat it as my benchmark for owned-entity platforms.
Our Verdict
Owned-Entity Global Platform
*As pricing is subject to change, we are listing prices as they stand in October 2026
RemotePeople
Company Description
RemotePeople makes hiring in Japan simple by managing all the legal and administrative details. Companies can quickly onboard talent without setting up a local presence, ensuring compliance and smooth operations from day one.
Key Specialty Area
Tailored EOR solutions for seamless global employment
Service Cost
Starting from $199 per month per employee
Top Advantages
- Localized expertise in 150+ countries
- Effortless talent management
- Dedicated legal and HR adviser
- Convenient platform
- Full transparency in costs with no hidden charges
Scope of Services
- Payroll and tax processing
- Benefits administration
- Contractor management and ‘Contractor of Record’
- Handling of employee separations
- Immigration and work permits
- Recruitment support
Our Verdict
Cost-Effective EOR & Integrated Services Platform
*Pricing may vary; we are listing the service cost as of March 2026
Employer of Record Japan Pricing
How much does an employer of record cost in Japan? The fees published here range from $199 to $699 a month per employee. All 6 Japan-based providers price each engagement individually. On top of the fee, you pay the salary, about 15% to 16% in employer social insurance and, in many cases, summer and winter bonuses.
| Provider | Section | Published starting EOR fee |
|---|---|---|
| Deel | Global | $599 per employee per month |
| Oyster | Global | $699 per employee per month |
| Remote | Global | $699 per employee per month |
| RemotePeople | Global | $199 per employee per month |
| Quote-based providers | Local | Custom: Boyd & Moore, GoGlobal, Kreston ProWorks, Okawa Global, TG Japan, weConnect |
*As pricing is subject to change, we are listing prices as they stand in October 2026
INSIGHT: What will a Japanese EOR hire cost you each month?
Only the global platforms list a monthly fee; the 6 Japan-based firms quote on request, and salary, social insurance, and bonuses always come on top.
- Published EOR pricing in Japan on this page: $199 at RemotePeople, $599 at Deel and $699 at Oyster and Remote.
- Available only on request: fees from all 6 Japan-based firms.
EOR vs Entity in Japan
A kabushiki kaisha or godo kaisha needs company registration, a representative director, a corporate bank account, social insurance enrollment and its own Japanese payroll. An EOR covers all of that for a monthly fee, so hiring can start as soon as the contract is signed.
An entity usually becomes the better option once the team is large and permanent. It also wins when roles must stay beyond the 3-year dispatch limit. A PEO in Japan arrangement suits companies that already have an entity and want payroll and HR handled outside.
Planning to add staff elsewhere in Asia too? For the region’s biggest economy, read my guide to an Employer of Record in China. For a fast-growing Southeast Asian base, see my EOR Vietnam list. English-speaking support teams often go to Manila, so my EOR Philippines overview is worth a look as well.
EOR Solutions Japan: FAQs
How long does it take to start hiring through an EOR in Japan?
Most local hires take about 1 to 2 weeks once documents and background checks are complete. Deel quotes as little as 3 days for simple cases. Visa sponsorship adds several weeks for foreign nationals. Before you start, ask for the provider’s dispatch license number, since Japanese law requires one for this arrangement.
What types of jobs can I onboard with an EOR in Japan?
Providers employ full-time and part-time staff in technology, finance, sales and operations, while contractors usually go through a separate contractor service. Some firms also sponsor work visas for specialists. Because the setup counts as dispatch, the usual 3-year limit per organizational unit applies.
Which cities or areas of Japan do EORs generally serve?
Providers can employ staff anywhere in Japan, including Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya, Fukuoka and smaller regional cities. Payroll and social insurance follow the employee’s prefecture, which sets the minimum wage and the health insurance rate. Most bilingual support teams work from Tokyo.
Can an employee hired by an EOR be brought in-house later?
Yes. Once your Japanese entity is registered and enrolled in social insurance, the dispatch arrangement ends, and the employee signs a new contract with your company. Most providers help with the handover, final payroll and insurance transfers.
Yaryna is our lead writer with over 8 years of experience in crafting clear, compelling, and insightful content. Specializing in global employment and EOR solutions, she simplifies complex concepts to help businesses expand their remote teams with confidence. With a strong background working alongside diverse product and software teams, Yaryna brings a tech-savvy perspective to her writing, delivering both in-depth analysis and valuable insights.
