Expat Japan Guide

Freelance Invoicing in Japan: How to Bill Clients Correctly as a Foreigner

Freelancing in Japan means learning to invoice correctly — in Japanese format, with the right tax handling, and now with the new Invoice System (適格請求書等保存方式). Getting this right determines whether your clients can claim tax deductions for paying you. Here’s what you need to know. The Basics of Japanese Invoicing A seikyu-sho (請求書) is the Japanese word for invoice. Japanese invoices follow a specific format that differs from Western ones. Getting the format right builds trust with Japanese clients. ...

May 2, 2025 · 4 min · Expat Japan Team