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Doing business in Singapore for clients from Japan

Japanese companies have long known Singapore: Hoo Ah Kay served as consul for Japan there from 1877. Today the attraction lies in managing Southeast Asian business from one place, under an economic partnership agreement that dates from 2002.

An ASEAN headquarters and a home for founders

A Japanese group can run its ASEAN subsidiaries through a Singapore holding company, which can also employ the regional team. Founders have another reason. The book notes that Japan’s tax on individuals’ crypto gains, at progressive rates up to 55 per cent, has driven Japanese founders to Singapore and to Dubai. The same section points out that a Singapore licensee wanting Japanese customers must still register in Japan or partner with a registered exchange.

Tax treaty and trade agreements

Singapore and Japan have a comprehensive double taxation agreement. The Japan-Singapore Economic Partnership Agreement dates from November 2002 and was revised in September 2007. The ASEAN-Japan agreement is also in force, and RCEP has applied since 1 January 2022.

Below you will find the articles written for clients from Japan as they are published, followed by the sections of the book Singapore as an International Financial Centre. Your own lawyers advise you on the law of Japan.

Singapore as an International Financial Centre