What are the restrictions on getting a .jp domain?
The Japanese ccTLDs (country code top level domains) are certainly more expensive than .com, .net or even many other ccTLDs, but recently, registration has been getting easier. There are still some restrictions, depending on the type of second level domain designation. The most up-to-date information we have is as follows:
.jp (second level is undesignated)
The .jp ccTLD has been completely deregulated. Anyone can register. Must have a valid postal address in Japan.
<geographical>.jp Geographically Designated
Local/municipal organizations/associations in Japan.
.ac.jp Academic
Universities only.
.ad.jp Administrative
JPNIC members. (Usually used for network backbone or gateway nodes)
.co.jp Company
Japanese corporation (yuugen or kabushiki) or foreign branch office registered in Japan. Only one .co.jp registration allowed per company.
.ed.jp Education
Non-university academic institutions in Japan. (eg., high schools, vocational schools, handcap schools, kindergartens)
.go.jp Government
Government agencies only.
.gr.jp Group
Registered groups (individual or corporate) in Japan.
.lg.jp Local Governement
Local government authorities (eg., municipalities) in Japan.
.ne.jp Network
Network Service Providors in Japan.
.or.jp Organization
Registered organizations/associations in Japan.