Investment Requirements for the Japan Business Manager VISA (Business VISA)

To qualify for a Japan Business Manager VISA, an applicant must meet one of the following business scale requirements:

• Employ at least two full-time employees who are residents of Japan; or
• Make an investment of at least JPY 5 million into the business.

For the purposes of this requirement, “residents of Japan” include Japanese nationals, permanent residents, spouses of Japanese nationals, spouses of permanent residents, and long-term residents. Part-time workers, temporary dispatch workers, contractors, and seconded employees do not count as full-time employees under this rule.

While the immigration regulations do not explicitly require the applicant themselves to contribute the JPY 5 million, in practice, when launching a new business in Japan, it is highly advisable that the applicant personally invest at least this amount. This supports the legitimacy of their active involvement as a business manager.

If an applicant meets the investment threshold of JPY 5 million, they are not required to employ two full-time employees. However, it is important to note that under the Business VISA, the applicant is permitted to engage only in management and supervisory activities. They are prohibited from performing operational tasks such as working as a server in a restaurant or providing nail services in a salon. Therefore, operational staff must be hired separately from the applicant.

The immigration regulations (Article 2(2) of the Ministerial Ordinance on Landing Permission Standards) allow for other forms of business scale, such as significant expenditures on office rent, employee salaries, and equipment investment. However, it is generally rare for businesses to rely solely on operational expenses and salaries to meet the business scale requirements without the initial capital investment of JPY 5 million.

① Key Points When Deciding the Capital Amount

When setting the capital amount, applicants should consider not only the JPY 5 million investment requirement for the Business VISA, but also:

• The business model and the level of self-funding needed for future bank financing;
• Tax implications;
• Capital requirements under relevant licensing and regulatory laws.

Typically, newly approved Business VISA holders will need to renew their status every year initially. During the renewal process, immigration authorities will scrutinize the company’s performance and financial condition. Insufficient capital or declining net assets may result in denial of visa renewal. For further details regarding renewal, please refer to Chapter 5.

② Explaining the Formation of Investment Funds

In cases where the applicant cannot prepare the JPY 5 million entirely from personal funds, it is acceptable to borrow money from parents or relatives to form the required capital.

However, in such cases, it is necessary to submit supporting documentation to the immigration authorities proving the legitimacy of the funds, including:

• A loan agreement with the relative (money lending contract);
• Bank remittance records;
• Documents proving the family relationship (e.g., notarized parent-child relationship certificate);
• Proof of the relative’s employment (e.g., employment certificate);
• Tax certificates of the relative;
• Bank book copies showing the withdrawal of funds from the relative’s account.

It is critical to ensure that the source of funds is clear and verifiable. Funds that appear to be staged or of unclear origin (“dummy capital”) will not be accepted.

In addition to personal investment, certain government support programs and stock option-related special exemptions are available in some regions of Japan. For further details, please contact our office.

 

Professional Profile

Masakazu Murai
Producer for Foreign Entrepreneur Support
– Comprehensive Support from Company Formation to Business VISA Acquisition –

Masakazu Murai specializes in reducing the risk of Business VISA denials and lengthy examination periods for foreign entrepreneurs in Japan. He spent 18 years as an investment banker at Mitsubishi UFJ Morgan Stanley Securities (a joint venture between MUFG and Morgan Stanley), advising over 500 entrepreneurs and listed company executives on business planning, financing, and capital strategy.

He is an expert in immigration consulting and financial advisory services for foreign nationals. His hobbies include attending Japanese pop idol concerts, enjoying Leonardo DiCaprio movies, and spending time with cats.

Certifications and Memberships:

• Administrative Scrivener (Gyoseishoshi)
• Certified Member of the Securities Analysts Association of Japan
• CFP® (Certified Financial Planner – Japan Association for Financial Planners)
• Executive Officer, Minato Ward Chapter, Tokyo Administrative Scrivener Association