Business Manager Visa Reform: Public Comment Released
Journal Note: Proposed Amendments to the Business Manager Visa
Masakazu Murai, Continental Immigration Administrative Scrivener Corporation
On August 26, 2025, the Japanese government released a draft amendment to the Business Manager Visa for public comment. Simultaneously, proposed revisions to the METI Startup Visa Program were also issued.
The move to tighten requirements stems from longstanding concerns over abuse of the visa as a vehicle for immigration without genuine managerial activity. The pace of reform is striking—new legislation is scheduled to take effect by mid-October. The political backdrop is telling: in the most recent Upper House elections, ruling parties suffered heavy defeat amid growing public frustration over “irregular foreign residents,” while right-leaning parties gained ground, mirroring political shifts seen in parts of Europe.
The Proposed Amendments
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Capital requirement raised from JPY 5 million to JPY 30 million
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At least one full-time employee required at the time of application
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Proof of three years’ management experience, or an MBA/master’s degree in a relevant field
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Submission of a business plan reviewed by a government-certified professional
The increase to JPY 30 million aligns Japan with international standards. Although the figure may appear daunting in Japan’s low-inflation environment, it is modest when viewed against U.S. or European price levels. The new requirement to employ a full-time worker, however, will present practical challenges, raising immediate questions about recruitment responsibilities and operational feasibility. It remains to be seen whether the revised Startup Visa framework can offset this burden.
The experience/degree requirement targets those who have misused the visa to bring family members to Japan under the guise of entrepreneurship, while the mandated business plan review seeks to eliminate superficial filings often drafted by unscrupulous agents. Yet concerns remain: who precisely qualifies as a “certified professional”? Foreign entrepreneurship frequently implicates complex issues under the Immigration Act, the Foreign Exchange Act, and cross-border remittance rules. It is uncertain whether general accountants or mid-tier management consultants are equipped to assess such matters.
Transitional Considerations
Practitioners report a surge of last-minute applications seeking to qualify under the current rules before the September deadline. While legally permissible, the underlying policy aim—eradicating misuse—together with political pressure from legislators, suggests that immigration examiners may be disinclined to approve borderline cases. Outcomes of immediate filings remain unpredictable.
Looking Forward
Regulation must not be solely restrictive. Japan’s policy agenda also emphasizes industrial revitalization, innovation, and entrepreneurship. Recently, the government introduced the J-Find Visa, designed to allow graduates of leading global universities to prepare entrepreneurial ventures in Japan. These individuals—engineers in IT and AI, or scientists in biotechnology—represent the very innovators who may transform industries. Japan’s lawmakers and elite bureaucrats should consider further flexible visa categories, such as a dedicated “Entrepreneur Visa” for highly supported ventures, whether backed by distinguished universities or multinational enterprises. Many of these future founders are, after all, the academic and professional juniors of today’s political and bureaucratic leaders.
Professional Consultant
Masakazu Murai
Immigration Consultant & Financial Advisor with 18 years of investment banking experience at Mitsubishi UFJ Morgan Stanley, advising over 500 entrepreneurs and executives.
- Gyoseishoshi Immigration Lawyer
- CMA (Japanese Certified Member Analyst)
- CFP (Certified Financial Planner)
- MBA in Entrepreneurship (Hosei Business School)
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