Hire and Operate Your Team
in Japan Without
Setting Up a Company

Managed Consultant Services (MCS) is Kreston ProWorks’ Employer of Record (EOR) service for Japan. Under this model, Kreston ProWorks becomes the legal employer of professionals dedicated exclusively to your business and assumes responsibility for employment administration, payroll, statutory employer obligations, immigration support and labor law compliance. As part of our responsibilities as the legal employer, we actively oversee and monitor the employee’s working environment, employment conditions and day-to-day activities throughout the engagement in accordance with Japanese labor law.

Employer of Record (EOR) is the internationally recognized term used by companies seeking employment solutions when expanding into new markets. In Japan, however, the legal employer must maintain genuine employer responsibilities throughout the employment relationship. Kreston ProWorks’ Managed Consultant Services (MCS) reflects this compliance-focused approach by combining employment administration with active employer oversight and ongoing labor governance.

Yes. MCS enables international companies, entrepreneurs and investors to hire employees, sponsor work visas and begin operating in Japan without immediately incorporating a Japanese company. When your business is ready, we can assist with company formation and the seamless transition of employees to your own Japanese entity.

Yes. As the legal employer, Kreston ProWorks can sponsor eligible employment visas for qualified foreign professionals. We provide end-to-end immigration support, including visa strategy, application preparation, liaison with the Immigration Services Agency and ongoing support for renewals and changes of status.

The most appropriate visa depends on the individual’s qualifications, proposed role and long-term objectives. We advise clients on the most suitable immigration pathway, including Highly Skilled Professional (HSP), Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services and other applicable employment-related visa categories.

As the legal employer, Kreston ProWorks is responsible for maintaining appropriate employer oversight throughout the employment relationship. We monitor the employee’s working environment, employment conditions and day-to-day activities to satisfy our obligations under Japanese labor law while working closely with the client to support operational requirements and business objectives.

Japanese labor law places continuing responsibilities on the legal employer that extend beyond payroll administration. Ongoing oversight helps ensure that working conditions, employment practices and statutory employer obligations remain compliant throughout the engagement, reducing employment risk for both the employee and the client.

For individuals already authorized to work in Japan, onboarding can often be completed within a few days. Where visa sponsorship is required, overall timing will depend primarily on immigration processing and the circumstances of the individual application.

Yes. Whether you require a single specialist, a project team or an expanding workforce, Managed Consultant Services can scale to meet your business requirements.

Yes. We support employees located throughout Japan, including remote workers and personnel based outside Tokyo, subject to the practical requirements of the role and applicable employment regulations.

Absolutely. Many clients begin their Japan expansion using Managed Consultant Services before establishing their own subsidiary or branch office. Once your entity is operational, we can coordinate the transition of employees and continue supporting your business with accounting, payroll, tax compliance, corporate secretarial, HR advisory, immigration and other back-office services, providing a seamless long-term solution for your operations in Japan.