Build your business
on the right licenses.
From initial licenses to annual financial filings, renewals and additional categories, we support the administrative procedures your construction business needs so you can focus on your work.
Construction licensing: the essentials
The license you need depends on the locations of your offices, the value of subcontracting as a prime contractor and the type of work you undertake.
Prefectural or ministerial license
A prefectural license applies when all offices are in one prefecture; a ministerial license applies where offices are in two or more prefectures.
General or specified construction
The distinction depends on the total value of subcontracting placed as a prime contractor, not the value of work you accept as a subcontractor.
29 licensed categories
Licensing is required for the relevant categories of work. A general construction license does not by itself authorize independently accepting every specialist category.
Valid for five years
Licenses require renewal every five years. Alongside deadline management, annual financial filings must be kept up to date.
The 29 construction categories
We review the actual work, contracts and engineers’ experience and qualifications to identify the categories needed.
General construction
Civil engineering structures or buildings constructed under comprehensive planning, direction and coordination.
Structures, foundations & civil works
Specialist work on structures, foundations, roads, waterways and demolition.
Building & finishing
Specialist work on exteriors, interiors, finishes, waterproofing and building openings.
Building services
Installation and maintenance of electricity, water, drainage, air conditioning, communications, fire protection and other facilities.
Landscape & specialist works
Specialist work such as gardens and parks, wells and observation wells.
Individual category assessment
We check construction methods and contract terms rather than rely on the job title alone, including additional categories and future business plans.
Categories are organized using MLIT’s guidance on construction licensing as the reference.
Annual administration after approval
Construction businesses must file annual financial notifications after the end of their business year. For Osaka prefectural licenses, the deadline is generally within four months of year-end.
Keep your annual filings on track.
Annual construction financial notifications are separate from tax returns. Keeping deadlines and records in order each year also helps prepare for five-year renewals, additional categories and business evaluation procedures.
Partner certified tax accountants handle tax advice and filings; Hokuto handles notifications under the Construction Business Act.
- Deadline tracking and advance reminders
- Organizing and preparing construction history records
- Organizing construction turnover for the preceding three years
- Preparing financial statements in the construction licensing format
- Coordinating bookkeeping records with partner tax accountants
- Preparing for renewals, additional categories and business evaluation
From applications to ongoing administration
Initial license applications
We assess management arrangements, office engineers, financial standing and disqualification criteria and support the application.
Renewals
We track the five-year expiry and review previous notifications to prepare renewal filings.
Additional categories & license changes
We support additional categories and switches between prefectural and ministerial licenses as your offices and business expand.
Annual financial notifications
We prepare yearly filings by the deadline and support continuing license administration.
Change notifications
We check deadlines and documents for changes to company names, addresses, officers and office engineers.
Business evaluation & public tenders
We help businesses preparing for public construction projects with business evaluation and tender eligibility applications.
Specified Skilled Workers in construction: from acceptance to retention
Beyond construction licensing, we can also discuss accepting Specified Skilled Workers to address your staffing needs.
Practical support
beyond the hiring stage
As a registered support organization, Hokuto provides one point of contact for acceptance arrangements, residence procedures, construction-sector acceptance plans and support after employment starts. Hiring guidance is provided through legally permitted recruitment channels.
Construction-sector Specified Skilled Worker acceptance requires conditions including construction licensing, JAC membership, Construction Career Up System registration and ministerial approval of the acceptance plan. We review your individual circumstances.
From consultation to applications and administration
Even if you are unsure whether a license is needed or which category applies, we start with your current work and future plans.
Plan the present and future of your construction business.
For new licenses, additional categories and annual financial filings, tell us about your current situation.