Major Revision of Business Manager Visa from October 2025 ~ Strategies for the 30 Million Yen Capital Era ~

Hello everyone. I am Hiroaki Higuchi, a certified administrative scrivener at Mirai Fuso Administrative Scrivener Office.

Following the official announcement by the Immigration Services Agency on August 26, the significant tightening of Business Manager visa requirements has become a reality. This reform represents a fundamental change in the system for foreign nationals considering starting a business in Japan.

Through my experience at foreign IT companies, I have worked with many excellent foreign professionals, and later, while leading new business development at a domestic optical equipment manufacturer, I witnessed firsthand the high innovation capacity of foreign entrepreneurs. While this system reform certainly presents a significant hurdle, with appropriate strategies, it is possible to create new opportunities.

In this article, I will provide foreign nationals aiming to start businesses in Japan with detailed analysis of the reforms and specific strategic approaches that directly apply to practical situations.

Detailed Analysis of the Reform

Comparison Between Current System and Revised Plan

Background of the System Change

Policy Shift from "Quantity" to "Quality"

The reform is driven by the following policy intentions:

• Countermeasures against paper companies: Prevention of system abuse by companies without substance

• Emphasis on economic impact: Preferential treatment for larger businesses with greater employment creation effects

• Strengthening international competitiveness: Selective acceptance of truly excellent foreign entrepreneurs

Two Major Strategies Under the New System

With the system reform, foreign entrepreneurs need to select the optimal pathway from the following two strategies.

Strategy 1: New Business Manager Visa (Capital-Focused Type)

Target: Entrepreneurs with sufficient capital

Main Requirements

• Capital of 30 million yen or more

• Employment of at least 1 full-time employee mandatory

• 3 years or more of management experience OR master's degree or higher

• Business plan verification by certified public accountant or small and medium enterprise management consultant

Advantages

• Maximum 5-year period of stay

• Stability at renewal

• Fast track to permanent residence application

Disadvantages

• High initial investment (30 million yen capital)

• Personnel cost burden (approximately 4-6 million yen annually)

• Stricter examination

Strategy 2: Startup Visa (Preparation Period Utilization Type)

Target: Entrepreneurs with innovative ideas but capital constraints

System Overview

• Official Name: Status of residence "Designated Activities" (Notification No. 44)

• Period of Stay: Maximum 2 years (basic renewal examination after 1 year)

• Jurisdiction: Municipalities certified by Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry

Acquisition Process

1. Municipality Examination: Submit startup preparation activity plan, etc.

2. Confirmation Certificate Issuance: Feasibility examination of business plan by municipality

3. Immigration Examination: Final examination at Regional Immigration Services Bureau

Participating Municipalities (as of 2025) Fukuoka City, Aichi Prefecture, Gifu Prefecture, Kobe City, Osaka City, Mie Prefecture, Hokkaido, Sendai City, Ibaraki Prefecture, Oita Prefecture, Kyoto Prefecture, Shibuya Ward, etc.

Advantages

• No need for advance capital or office space

• Gradual foundation building during 2-year preparation period

• Utilization of startup support from municipalities

Disadvantages

• Limited participating municipalities

• Ultimately need to meet Business Manager visa requirements

• Additional municipality examination process

What is the Success Rate of Startup Visa?

Due to the two-stage process of municipality and immigration examinations, more careful preparation is needed compared to regular Business Manager visa.

Success Factors:

• Alignment with municipality's industrial policy

• Concrete and highly feasible business plan

• Certainty of transition to Business Manager visa within 1-2 years

Ensuring Fund Transparency and International Remittance Practices

Important Points for International Fund Transfers

Proof of Fund Source is Most Critical

For foreign entrepreneurs, the most important aspect is clearly proving the source of investment funds. Immigration Services Agency examinations strictly check fund transparency and legality.

Required Documentation

• Overseas remittance statement (official issuance from sending bank)

• Bank account balance certificate from sending source (English version, officially issued by bank)

• Documents showing fund accumulation process (salary certificate, business income certificate, etc.)

• Appropriate declaration documents based on Foreign Exchange Law

• Copy of remittance request form stating remittance purpose

Recommended Remittance Methods

Utilizing Japanese Bank Overseas Branches is Most Reliable

Remittances from overseas branches of Japanese banks are the most reliable method for proving fund transparency.

Advantages

• Peace of mind under supervision of Japanese financial authorities

• High reliability of remittance records

• Required documents conform to Japanese requirements

• Clear records of remittance purpose remain

Other Reliable Remittance Methods

• Telegraphic transfer from major international banks (SWIFT member banks)

• Remittances from government-affiliated financial institutions

• Remittances from financial institutions affiliated with listed companies

Remittance Methods to Avoid

Using Private Remittance Services Carries High Risk

The following methods should be avoided as proof of fund source becomes difficult:

• Private remittance services: Reliability of remittance records is questioned

• Cryptocurrency remittances: Difficult to trace fund sources

• Cash bringing: Customs declaration required for amounts over 1 million yen, but proving accumulation process is difficult

• Third-party name remittances: Actual fund provider unclear

Important Points When Bringing Cash

If unavoidably bringing cash:

• Must declare at customs for amounts over 1 million yen

• Provide detailed proof of prior fund accumulation process

• Prepare documents explaining circumstances of converting to cash

• Switching to bank remittance recommended whenever possible

Common Problems and Countermeasures

Problem 1: Split remittances from multiple accounts

• Countermeasure: Prepare individual source proof for each remittance and clearly show basis for fund combination

Problem 2: Fund provision from family

• Countermeasure: Gift contract, proof of provider's financial capacity, appropriate handling of gift tax

Problem 3: Investment from investors

• Countermeasure: Investment contract, investor's identity and financial capacity proof, clear legal basis for investment

Summary: Converting Change into Opportunity Through Mindset Shift

This Business Manager visa reform has indeed significantly raised the hurdle for starting a business in Japan. However, rather than viewing this simply as "regulatory strengthening," it is important to utilize it as an opportunity for "realizing startup with more solid business foundation."

Reflecting on my own experience with new business development in corporations, truly valuable businesses can only be realized with sufficient preparation time and appropriate financial foundation. The new system has the potential to function as a mechanism supporting such "serious entrepreneurship."

Three Key Points for Success

1. Strategic Selection: Strategy selection optimized for individual circumstances

2. Gradual Approach: Feasible gradual business expansion

3. Professional Utilization: Collaboration with administrative scriveners, tax accountants, small and medium enterprise management consultants, etc.

I sincerely hope that this system reform will become a new growth opportunity for foreign nationals aiming to start businesses in Japan.

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