Published: 17.10.2026
The .jp extension is the country-code domain of Japan, an island nation in East Asia whose capital is Tokyo and whose official language is Japanese. For a company or project that serves customers in Japan, a .jp name shows at once where it is based and who it is for. Japanese visitors often expect this ending from a local business, so it can help build trust with them. Use the availability form just below this text to see whether your name in .jp is still free.
Check if a .jp domain is available .jp Check
A short history
Japan received its national code in the early years of the internet, when universities, research institutes and technology companies were among the first to go online. As Japanese businesses, public bodies and local organisations built their own websites, the zone grew into a familiar national address. Over time it has become a standard choice for Japanese companies, shops and community projects, and a normal choice for anyone building a site for the Japanese market.
Who runs it
The .jp zone is operated by JPRS, which runs the national registry and maintains the database of names. Accredited registrars sell .jp names to customers and pass the orders to the registry. The zone also has several second-level zones, such as co.jp for companies, ac.jp for academic institutions and or.jp for organisations, and each of them follows its own conditions. The registry publishes the current rules, so check them before you order.
Rules in practice
- Holder conditions: the registry sets rules on who may register a .jp name and in which zone, so check the current terms before you pay.
- Second-level zones: co.jp, ac.jp, or.jp and the other second-level zones have their own purposes and conditions, which can differ from those of a plain .jp name.
- Contact details: the holder data must be accurate and complete, and it may be checked when the registry requires it.
- Japanese characters: internationalised names that use Japanese letters may be possible, depending on the current rules of the registry.
Who uses .jp
- Japanese companies of every size, from family shops to national firms.
- Restaurants, inns, salons and other local services that serve customers in Japan.
- Schools, clubs and non-profit groups with a Japanese audience.
- Travel and tourism projects that help visitors plan trips within Japan.
Strengths
- The ending signals a clear Japanese base, which helps local customers recognise a business at once.
- Search engines can read a country-code ending as one hint about the audience, so Japanese-language content may match local searches well.
- The zone is widely used in Japan, so the address looks natural on signs, menus, business cards and vehicles.
Things to keep in mind
- A .jp name points to Japan, so a business that mainly serves customers abroad may also want a generic address.
- Japanese visitors expect Japanese-language content, so an English-only site may feel out of place for them.
- Good short names are often registered already, so a descriptive wording can be the better option.
- Conditions differ between the plain .jp zone and its second-level zones, so read the terms for the one you choose.
Tips before you register
- Check the same name in .com and decide whether a second address is worth owning.
- Enter the holder and company details exactly as they appear in your official records, in the form the registry asks for.
- Prepare Japanese content and clear contact and company information for the website.
- Host the site in Japan or nearby so that pages load quickly for visitors.
- Set up SPF, DKIM and DMARC records before the domain sends any e-mail.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to live in Japan to register a .jp name? Holder conditions apply, and they can depend on your location and on the zone you choose. Check the current terms before you order.
What is the difference between co.jp and .jp? co.jp is a second-level zone that sits under .jp and is used by companies. Each second-level zone has its own purpose and conditions, so pick the one that matches your situation.
Can an English-language site use .jp? Yes. A .jp name says where the business is, not which language the site must use, but Japanese visitors will still expect at least some Japanese content.
