Translation guide
The main administrative center or headquarters of a company or organization. In Japanese, the most common and neutral term is 本社 (honsha). Other terms exist for specific contexts, such as the main branch among multiple offices, or the registered legal address.
The primary office where the central functions of a company or organization are located.
The standard, neutral term for a company's head office or headquarters. Used in most business contexts.
The head office is in Tokyo.
I was transferred to the head office.
Often used for the main store or main office of a business, especially in retail or banking. Can sometimes be used interchangeably with 本社, but 本社 is more common for corporate headquarters.
Our main office is in Ginza. (polite)
Used for the headquarters of an organization, association, or a specific division within a larger entity (e.g., 警察本部 police headquarters). Less common for a company's main office.
The election campaign headquarters was set up.
Distinguishing the main office from a branch or satellite office.
The official registered address of a company as listed in legal documents.
The legal term for the location of the head office. Used in company registration and official documents.
To change the company's registered head office address, registration is required.
Also used for the location of the head office, but 本店所在地 is the precise legal term in Japan's Commercial Code.
The head office location is Yokohama City.
Referring specifically to the physical building that houses the head office.
Commonly used to refer to the head office building.
The new head office building has been completed.
本社 (honsha) is the default for a company's headquarters. 本店 (honten) is often used for the main store or main office of a business, especially in retail, banking, or traditional establishments. 本部 (honbu) is for the headquarters of an organization, military, police, or a specific campaign/division. For a typical company, use 本社.
Our company's head office is in Osaka.
The bank's main office is near Tokyo Station.
The UN headquarters is in New York.
The direct loanword ヘッドオフィス (heddo ofisu) is rarely used in natural Japanese. It may be understood in some international business contexts, but 本社 is strongly preferred.
Services may differ between the main office and branch offices.