Japan Startup Visa: How to Start a Business Without ¥30 Million

Can't meet the new ¥30M Business Manager visa requirement? The Startup Visa lets you prepare for up to 2 years — and the time counts toward the 3-year management experience requirement.

Bottom line: Japan's Startup Visa (外国人起業活動促進事業) lets you live in Japan for up to 2 years to build your business — without the ¥30 million capital, full-time employee, or office that the Business Manager visa now demands. Time on the Startup Visa counts toward the 3-year management experience requirement. As of January 2025, the program is available nationwide through approved local governments and private organizations.

Information current as of March 2026 based on METI's official Startup Visa page, Invest Tokyo (BDC Tokyo), Trust Administrative Scrivener Office's 2025-2026 guide, and MOFA's Start-up Visa page.

Since October 2025, Japan's Business Manager visa requires ¥30 million in capital, a full-time employee, JLPT N2 Japanese, and 3 years of management experience. If you're a foreign entrepreneur who can't meet those thresholds yet, the Startup Visa is your most practical way in.

What is the Startup Visa?

The Startup Visa — formally called 外国人起業活動促進事業 (gaikokujin kigyō katsudō sokushin jigyō, "Program to Promote Startup Businesses by Foreign Nationals") — grants a "Designated Activities" (特定活動 / tokutei katsudō) residence status. Instead of proving you already have ¥30 million and a running company, you submit a business plan to an approved local government or private organization. If they approve it, you receive a confirmation certificate and apply for the visa through immigration.

The visa gives you up to 2 years to set up your business: register a company, secure an office, hire staff, find partners, and build toward meeting full Business Manager visa requirements.

Startup Visa vs Business Manager visa

Requirement	Startup Visa	Business Manager Visa (post-Oct 2025)
Capital	Not required upfront	¥30 million
Full-time employee	Not required upfront	At least 1 (Japanese/PR/spouse of JN or PR/LTR)
Japanese proficiency	Not required	JLPT N2 (you or any employee — separate from mandatory hire)
Management experience	Not required — time on visa counts toward the 3-year requirement	3+ years or master's/doctoral/professional degree
Business plan	Reviewed by local government	Certified by CPA / tax accountant / SME consultant
Office	Flexible during preparation	Separate business premises required
Duration	Up to 2 years (non-renewable)	1 or 3 or 5 years (renewable)
Work restrictions	Business preparation activities only	Full business management

Which local governments accept applications?

Since January 2025, the program has been expanded nationwide. You apply through a designated "Foreign Entrepreneurship Promotion Organization" — either a local government or an approved private body. Major participating entities include:

Region	Organization	Link
Tokyo	Business Development Center Tokyo (TMG)	Invest Tokyo
Shibuya (Tokyo)	Shibuya City Startup Support	shibuya.lg.jp
Osaka	Osaka Innovation Hub	innovation-osaka.jp
Fukuoka	Fukuoka City Global Startup Center	city.fukuoka.lg.jp
Aichi	Aichi Prefecture	pref.aichi.jp
Kyoto	Kyoto Prefecture	pref.kyoto.jp
Yokohama	Yokohama City	city.yokohama.lg.jp
Kobe / Hyogo	Hyogo Prefecture	web.pref.hyogo.lg.jp
Hiroshima	Hiroshima Prefecture	pref.hiroshima.lg.jp
Hokkaido	Hokkaido Prefecture	pref.hokkaido.lg.jp

The full list is maintained by METI and updated regularly as new organizations are approved. If your city isn't listed, check METI's page — it may have been added since this article was published.

Application process: step by step

Choose a local government or approved organization in the area where you plan to base your business.
Prepare your business plan (事業計画書 / jigyō keikakusho) — The most critical document. Must cover business concept, market analysis, financial projections, funding sources, and staffing plan. Most organizations require it in Japanese.
Submit application — Business plan plus resume, passport copy, and proof of funds for the preparation period.
Expert review (1-2 months) — The organization's panel evaluates whether your plan is realistic and whether you can eventually meet Business Manager visa requirements.
Receive confirmation certificate (確認証明書 / kakunin shōmeisho) — A "Confirmation of Business Startup Activity" certificate.
Apply to immigration within 3 months — Submit the certificate plus standard visa documents. If abroad, apply through a Certificate of Eligibility (COE).
Enter Japan and start building — Work toward meeting full Business Manager visa criteria.

The entire process typically takes 5-6 months from initial application to arrival in Japan.

The key benefit: time counts toward management experience

This is the most important change from the October 2025 reform. Your entire Startup Visa period is now recognized as 経営管理の経験 (keiei kanri no keiken — management experience) when you later apply for the Business Manager visa. With up to 2 years counting toward the 3-year requirement, you only need 1 additional year after transitioning.

During your preparation period, you can register a company (会社設立 / kaisha setsuritsu), lease office space, open a corporate bank account, hire employees, and negotiate with partners and investors. You cannot take outside employment — you need enough savings to cover living expenses throughout the visa period.

Transition path: Startup Visa to Business Manager visa

Before your Startup Visa expires, you must either transition to a Business Manager visa or leave Japan. To transition, you need to meet all current Business Manager visa requirements:

¥30 million in invested capital
At least 1 full-time employee (Japanese/PR/spouse of JN or PR/LTR)
JLPT N2 Japanese (you or any full-time employee — separate from mandatory hire)
3+ years management experience or graduate degree (Startup Visa time counts)
CPA/tax-accountant-certified business plan
Separate business office

The Startup Visa is a bridge, not a permanent exemption. Use the 2 years wisely to build capital, hire staff, and establish your business foundation.

Useful Japanese for consultations

スタートアップビザについて相談したいです。
(Sutātoappu biza ni tsuite sōdan shitai desu.)
— I'd like to consult about the Startup Visa.

事業計画書の書き方を教えてください。
(Jigyō keikakusho no kakikata wo oshiete kudasai.)
— Please teach me how to write a business plan.

確認証明書の申請手続きはどうなりますか？
(Kakunin shōmeisho no shinsei tetsuzuki wa dō narimasu ka?)
— What is the application procedure for the confirmation certificate?

経営管理ビザへの切り替え条件を確認したいです。
(Keiei kanri biza e no kirikae jōken wo kakunin shitai desu.)
— I'd like to confirm the conditions for switching to a Business Manager visa.

Need help with your Startup Visa application?

The business plan is make-or-break, and most local governments require it in Japanese. On LO-PAL, you can ask a local Japanese helper to translate your business plan, accompany you to the local government consultation, or explain the application documents. Post your question for free — you only pay if you request a task and the helper completes it.