What Is the “Business Manager” Visa?
The “Business Manager” visa is one of Japan’s work-related statuses of residence for foreign nationals who wish to establish a new business in Japan, such as a trading business, or engage in the management or administration of an existing business.
To qualify for the Business Manager status, the applicant must be substantively involved in the management or administration of the business. Specifically, the applicant is expected to engage in activities such as making important decisions concerning business operations, executing business activities, and overseeing or auditing the business.
The main types of activities permitted under the Business Manager status are as follows:
- Establishing a new business in Japan and engaging in its management or administration
- Participating in an existing business in Japan and engaging in its management or administration
- Engaging in the management or administration of a business on behalf of a person or entity operating a business in Japan
Please note that, on October 16, 2025, the relevant ministerial ordinances and criteria for the Business Manager status were revised and took effect, making the eligibility requirements stricter.
The main revisions include requirements relating to the employment of full-time staff, capital and other financial criteria, Japanese-language ability, educational and professional background, and review of the business plan by a qualified professional.
Eligibility Requirements for the “Business Manager” Visa
1. Securing a Place of Business (Office)
To obtain the Business Manager status, it is necessary to secure a place of business, such as an office, in Japan for conducting the business.
Under the general principles of the Japan Standard Industrial Classification, a place of business is defined as follows:
- Economic activities are conducted under a single management entity at a fixed location occupying a specific area.
- The production or provision of goods and services is carried out continuously with personnel and equipment.
In addition to these requirements, it is important that the place of business can be used on a continuous and stable basis.
For this reason, short-term rental spaces leased on a monthly basis, as well as temporary facilities such as stalls that can easily be moved or removed, are generally not recognized as an appropriate place of business. As a general rule, using part of one’s home as the place of business is also not accepted.
When securing business premises, it is therefore important to confirm that the property is suitable for the intended business activities and that the lease or other agreement permits its use for business purposes.
2. Scale of the Business
① Employment of at Least One Full-Time Employee
The company or other business entity must employ at least one full-time employee.
For purposes of this requirement, the full-time employee must fall under one of the following categories:
- Japanese national
- Special Permanent Resident
- Permanent Resident
- Spouse or Child of Japanese National
- Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident
- Long-Term Resident
Please note that foreign nationals residing in Japan under a work-related status of residence, such as “Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services,” do not count toward this full-time employee requirement.
② Capital or Other Business Assets of at Least 30 Million Yen
To obtain Business Manager status, the total value of assets used for the business related to the application must be at least 30 million yen.
For Corporations (Kabushiki Kaisha, Godo Kaisha, etc.)
For a Kabushiki Kaisha (KK), the requirement is considered satisfied if the amount of paid-in capital is at least 30 million yen.
For a Godo Kaisha (GK) or similar entity, the requirement is considered satisfied if the total amount of contributions is at least 30 million yen.
For Sole Proprietorships
For a sole proprietorship, the requirement is based not on capital, but on the total value of assets invested for the operation of the business, which must be at least 30 million yen.
Examples of qualifying expenses include:
- Costs required to secure the place of business, such as an office
- Salaries for employees for one year
- Capital expenditures for equipment required for the business
With regard to business funds, Immigration may require an explanation not only of the amount of the funds, but also of how the funds were accumulated and their source.
3. Japanese-Language Ability
Either the applicant for the Business Manager status or a full-time employee must have a sufficient level of Japanese-language ability.
For this purpose, the term “full-time employee” differs from the employee requirement described above under “2. Scale of the Business” and may include foreign nationals residing in Japan under a work-related status such as “Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services.”
A sufficient level of Japanese-language ability means approximately B2 level or above under the Framework of Reference for Japanese Language Education.
For persons other than Japanese nationals or Special Permanent Residents, Japanese-language ability is generally confirmed by meeting at least one of the following criteria:
- Passing JLPT N2 or higher
- Scoring 400 points or higher on the BJT Business Japanese Proficiency Test
- Having resided in Japan for at least 20 years as a mid- to long-term resident
- Graduating from a Japanese university or other institution of higher education
- Completing compulsory education in Japan and graduating from a Japanese high school
4. Educational or Professional Background
An applicant for the Business Manager status must satisfy either of the following requirements:
① Educational Requirement
The applicant must hold a doctoral, master’s, or professional degree in a field related to business management or administration, or to the skills or knowledge necessary for the business to be managed.
② Professional Experience Requirement
The applicant must have at least three years of practical experience in business management or administration.
5. Remuneration
If the applicant will engage in the management of a business, the remuneration must be at least equivalent to that which a Japanese national would receive for comparable duties.
When determining the level of remuneration, it is also important that the amount is consistent with factors such as the nature of the duties, the scope of responsibility, and the financial condition of the company.
Importance of the Business Plan
The business plan is an important document in a Business Manager application because it is used to demonstrate the stability, continuity, and feasibility of the business.
It will generally include the following:
- Overview of the business
- Management philosophy and purpose of the business
- Details of products and services
- Target customers
- Products and items to be handled
- Pricing
- Customer acquisition and sales promotion methods
- Customers and suppliers
- Profit and loss plan / financial projections
- Staffing and employment plan
Under the new eligibility criteria that took effect on October 16, 2025, business plans submitted for applications such as a Certificate of Eligibility application or a change of status of residence application must be reviewed by a person with professional expertise in business management.
The purpose of this requirement is to assess, from a professional perspective, whether the business plan is sufficiently specific, reasonable, and feasible.
The following professionals are recognized for this purpose:
- Small and Medium Enterprise Management Consultant
- Certified Public Accountant
- Certified Tax Accountant
When submitting the application, it is necessary to submit the business plan together with a confirmation document or similar documentation from the relevant professional.
Rather than preparing a merely formal business plan, it is important for the plan to provide specific and reasonable explanations regarding matters such as the actual business activities, funding plan, customers and suppliers, projected revenue, and employment plan.
Process from Company Establishment to Obtaining Business Manager Status
When establishing a new company in Japan and applying for the Business Manager status, the procedures generally proceed through the following steps.
The above is a general outline, and the order of procedures and the preparations required may differ depending on the individual circumstances.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1. By when is the 30 million yen in company capital required?
When applying for the Business Manager status, it is necessary to demonstrate that the business meets the applicable scale requirements.
In the case of a Kabushiki Kaisha (KK), if the company intends to satisfy the requirement by having capital of at least 30 million yen, the required capital contribution and registration should, as a general rule, be completed by the time the Business Manager application is submitted.
Q2. By when must the full-time employee be hired?
As a general rule, the employment arrangement should be in place by the time the Business Manager application is submitted.
It is also important to prepare documents demonstrating the actual employment relationship, such as an employment agreement and a written notice of employment conditions.
Q3. Can a foreign national be hired as the full-time employee?
Yes, it is possible to hire a foreign national. However, for purposes of satisfying the full-time employee requirement for the Business Manager status, only persons holding one of the following statuses are recognized:
- Special Permanent Resident
- Permanent Resident
- Spouse or Child of Japanese National
- Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident
- Long-Term Resident
Foreign nationals holding a work-related status of residence, such as “Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services,” do not count as full-time employees for purposes of this particular employment requirement.
Q4. Can I apply even if I do not speak Japanese at all?
Yes, it is possible to apply.
This is because the Japanese-language requirement may be satisfied by either the applicant or a full-time employee.
However, if the applicant does not personally meet the Japanese-language requirement, it will be necessary to demonstrate that the full-time employee has the required level of Japanese-language ability.
Q5. I graduated from a university in my home country. Does this satisfy the educational requirement?
Even if you have graduated from a university, a bachelor’s degree alone does not satisfy the educational requirement.
As a general rule, you must hold a master’s degree, doctoral degree, or professional degree in a field related to business management, administration, or the business you intend to manage.
If you do not hold one of these degrees, you will generally be required to have at least three years of practical experience in business management or administration.
Q6. Can anyone prepare the business plan?
There is no requirement that the person preparing the business plan hold a specific professional qualification.
The applicant may prepare the business plan themselves. However, for new Business Manager applications and similar procedures, the business plan must be professionally reviewed by a Small and Medium Enterprise Management Consultant, Certified Public Accountant, or Certified Tax Accountant, and a confirmation document or similar supporting document must be submitted.
Q7. Can I establish a company in Japan even if I am not currently in Japan?
Yes. A foreign national residing outside Japan may establish a company in Japan.
However, establishing a company involves various procedures, including securing an office, paying in the capital, preparing the required documents, and completing the corporate registration.
In particular, the method for arranging matters such as a Japanese bank account for the capital contribution may differ depending on the individual circumstances. For this reason, having someone in Japan who can assist with the process can make the procedures easier to complete.
Q8. Can I use a shared office as the business premises?
A shared office may be accepted if it provides sufficient independence as a business premises, such as a dedicated space, can be used on a continuous basis, and has the facilities necessary to conduct the business.
However, facilities where only a shared desk is available, or virtual offices where the actual business activities cannot be confirmed, are generally not accepted.
Before signing a lease, it is important to carefully confirm whether the property satisfies the office requirements for the Business Manager status.
Q9. I am planning to renew my Business Manager status. Do I need to meet all of the new eligibility requirements?
Transitional measures are available for persons who were already residing in Japan under Business Manager status before the revisions took effect on October 16, 2025.
For renewal applications submitted on or before October 16, 2028, an application will not automatically be denied solely because the applicant does not yet satisfy all of the new eligibility requirements.
Immigration will conduct an overall assessment based on factors such as the condition of the business and the likelihood of satisfying the new requirements in the future.
However, this does not mean that renewal is guaranteed.
Q10. Is it also necessary to submit a business plan and a professional confirmation/evaluation document when applying for renewal?
For renewal applications, applicants are not uniformly required to submit a business plan and a professional confirmation or evaluation document in the same way as for a new application.
However, Immigration may request the submission of a business plan or a document evaluated by a business professional in order to confirm matters such as the current condition of the business and the likelihood of meeting the new eligibility requirements.
In particular, if the new eligibility requirements are not yet satisfied, it is important to be prepared to explain specifically how the business intends to meet those requirements going forward.
Q11. I have increased the company’s capital to at least 30 million yen, but have not yet hired a full-time employee. Can I still apply for renewal?
For persons who were already residing in Japan under Business Manager status before the revisions took effect on October 16, 2025, transitional measures allow them to apply for renewal through October 16, 2028 even if they do not yet satisfy the full-time employee requirement.
However, whether the renewal will be approved will be determined based on factors such as the current condition of the business, the plan for hiring a full-time employee, and the likelihood of meeting the new eligibility requirements.
Therefore, when applying for renewal, it is advisable to be prepared to explain specific hiring plans and the company’s future business operations.
Q12. What procedures are required to increase the company’s capital?
The procedure for increasing a company’s capital is generally referred to as a capital increase.
For example, if a Kabushiki Kaisha (KK) increases its capital by issuing new shares, the procedure will generally involve the following steps:
- Determine the details of the capital increase, such as the amount of the increase, the number of shares to be issued, and the amount to be paid in.
- Pass the necessary resolutions at a shareholders’ meeting, board of directors meeting, or other applicable corporate meeting.
- Complete the subscription for the shares and payment of the capital contribution.
- Prepare the required documents and apply for registration of the change with the Legal Affairs Bureau.
The specific procedures may differ depending on factors such as the company’s corporate structure, the provisions of its Articles of Incorporation, and the method used for the capital increase.
【Business Manager】 When the applicant is overseas (expanding into Japan, starting a business in Japan)
【Business Manager】 When the applicant is already in Japan (going from office worker to independent business owner, starting a business upon graduation)
