Hello, this is Hong from IMS.
According to statistics published by the Immigration Services Agency of Japan, as of the end of 2024, there were 41,615 holders of the “Business Manager” visa, and 3,338 holders of the Highly Skilled Professional (i)(c) visa, which is the advanced version of the Business Manager visa. This visa is for those who wish to operate or manage a business in Japan, such as engaging in trade or other commercial activities.
In recent years, more and more foreign nationals have shown interest in starting businesses in Japan and applying for this visa. At our office, we receive numerous inquiries from overseas.
In this article, I’d like to explain what type of business structure is suitable when applying for the Business Manager visa as a foreign individual.
Types of Companies in Japan
In Japan, there are four major types of legal business entities:
- Kabushiki Kaisha (KK) – Joint-Stock Corporation
- Godo Kaisha (GK) – Limited Liability Company
- Goshi Kaisha – Limited Partnership
- Gomei Kaisha – Unlimited Partnership
Among these, KK is the most commonly chosen structure for Business Manager visa applications, followed by GK. The same trend is seen nationwide, where KK is the most registered type, with GK in second place.
As a reference, here are the number of registered companies as of 2024:
- Kabushiki Kaisha (KK): 1,031,370
- Godo Kaisha (GK): 126,623
- Goshi Kaisha: 2,853
- Gomei Kaisha: 739
(Source: https://www.moj.go.jp/housei/toukei/toukei_ichiran_touki.html)
Is There a Restriction on Company Type for the Business Manager Visa?
As noted, there is no legal restriction on which type of company can be used to apply for a Business Manager visa. As long as the specific visa requirements—such as sufficient capital, a physical office in Japan, and a feasible business plan—are met, any company type is acceptable.
That said, Goshi Kaisha and Gomei Kaisha involve unlimited liability for certain partners, which makes them less favorable in practice. Most applicants choose KK or GK.
Which Structure Do We Recommend?
Both KK and GK can be established by foreign nationals and can operate in a wide range of industries, as long as they are legal in Japan. From the visa application perspective, there is no advantage or disadvantage between KK and GK.
In many cases, foreign individuals who apply for this visa operate as a one-person company, where they are both the investor and the representative director. If your plan is to run a small-scale business (as opposed to eventually going public), then either structure is fine in terms of obtaining the visa.
However, if keeping startup costs low is a priority, a Godo Kaisha (GK) may be more cost-effective.
Key Differences Between KK and GK
While there are many articles online comparing the two, one of the most frequently mentioned topics is public recognition.
- Kabushiki Kaisha (KK) has a longer history and tends to be more familiar to the public.
- However, Godo Kaisha (GK) has become more widely accepted since it was introduced under the revised Companies Act in 2006.
Notably, companies like Apple Japan, Google Japan, and Amazon Japan have switched to the GK structure.
Final Thoughts
- There is no visa-related restriction on choosing either KK or GK.
- For small-scale operations, GK may be more cost-effective and simpler to run.
- For those planning to raise funds or go public in the future, KK may offer more advantages.
Contact IMS for Support
If you need assistance with setting up your company or applying for a Business Manager visa, we are here to help. We provide comprehensive support from company formation to visa application.
Please feel free to contact us for a customized quote or consultation.
