Japan Business Manager Visa 2025: Why ¥30 Million Changed Everything

Information current as of March 2026 based on the Immigration Services Agency's official revision notice, ACROSEED's detailed analysis, KPMG's flash alert, and Baker McKenzie's insight.

If you're a foreign entrepreneur running a business in Japan — or planning to start one — the rules changed dramatically on October 16, 2025. The Business Manager visa (経営・管理) went from one of the most accessible residence statuses to one of the hardest to qualify for. The capital requirement alone jumped sixfold, and that's only the beginning.

I wrote this because the questions in foreign resident communities exploded overnight: "Do I need ¥30 million now?", "What happens at my next renewal?", "Can I still use my home as an office?" Most of the answers online are from immigration lawyers selling their services. This guide gives you the facts without the sales pitch.

What changed: old rules vs new rules

The intent behind the reform is clear: Japan wants to stop people from setting up shell companies with ¥5 million just to get a residence status. The new rules are designed to filter for entrepreneurs who are actually running substantive businesses.

The ¥30 million capital requirement: what counts and what doesn't

The headline number is ¥30 million, but the details matter. This isn't just "money in a bank account." Immigration will verify the chronological evidence of payment: where the money came from, whether it's a gift, loan, or equity, and whether it was genuinely invested in the business.

For corporations, the ¥30 million refers to registered capital (資本金). For sole proprietors, it's assessed by the total invested amount including office costs, salaries, capital expenditure, and working capital.

If you're an existing business owner with less than ¥30 million in capital, you don't need to panic immediately — the transition period gives you until October 2028. But you should start planning now, because increasing registered capital involves shareholder resolutions, legal filings, and tax implications.

The employee requirement: who qualifies

You must employ at least one full-time employee. Before the revision, you could substitute employees with additional capital investment. That option is gone.

The employee must be:

• A Japanese national, OR
• A Special Permanent Resident, OR
• A Permanent Resident, Spouse/Child of Japanese National, Spouse/Child of Permanent Resident, or Long-Term Resident

The employee must be properly enrolled in social insurance (社会保険) and labor insurance (労働保険). Immigration will check enrollment records. A "freelance contractor" or someone on a work visa doesn't count.

Finding and hiring the right employee in Japan when you're a foreign business owner with limited Japanese can be genuinely difficult. If you're struggling with the hiring process or need help navigating Japanese employment contracts, you can post your question for free on LO-PAL and get advice from local Japanese people who understand the system.

Japanese language: JLPT N2 or equivalent

Either you or a full-time employee of your company must demonstrate B2-level Japanese proficiency. This can be proven with:

Important distinction: The employee who satisfies the Japanese language requirement and the mandatory full-time employee (see above) are separate requirements. The language requirement can be met by any full-time employee — including a foreign national on a work visa (e.g. Engineer/Specialist in Humanities). The mandatory employment requirement, however, must be a Japanese national, permanent resident, spouse of Japanese national, or long-term resident. In practice, this means you could hire a foreign employee with N2 to satisfy the language requirement, and separately hire a Japanese national to satisfy the employment requirement.

Management experience: 3 years or a graduate degree

You need either:

• 3+ years of business management experience — including startup preparation time. Immigration will cross-reference with employment certificates, tax records, company registries, and contracts. Crucially, time spent under the Startup Visa (Designated Activities) counts toward this 3-year requirement.
• A master's degree, doctoral degree, or professional degree in a relevant field (business, management, MBA, etc.)

If you've been running your current Japan business for 3+ years, you likely already qualify. If you're a first-time entrepreneur with no management track record and no graduate degree, the Startup Visa route (see below) lets you build that experience in Japan — the clock starts from day one of your Designated Activities status.

Business plan: professional certification required

Your business plan must now be verified by one of three types of professionals:

• 中小企業診断士 (Small and Medium Enterprise Management Consultant)
• 公認会計士 (Certified Public Accountant)
• 税理士 (Licensed Tax Accountant)

Important: Attorneys (弁護士) and Administrative Scriveners (行政書士) are not eligible to certify the business plan, even though they handle most visa applications. You need a separate professional for this step.

The certification covers revenue model rationale, hiring and insurance costs, 12–24 month cash-flow projections, KPIs, and permit/license feasibility. A one-page business plan will not pass.

Office: home office no longer accepted

A separate business premises is now required. Immigration will check:

• Lease documentation (purpose of use, sublease permission, early termination terms)
• Fire insurance
• Layout photos and floor plans
• Visitor-handling capability

Virtual offices are not accepted. If you've been running your business from your apartment, you'll need to find a proper office before your next renewal.

Transition period: what current visa holders need to know

This is the most important section if you already have a Business Manager visa.

The 3-year transition period is not a free pass. Immigration will assess whether you're making genuine progress toward meeting the new requirements. If you show up at renewal in 2027 with the same ¥5 million capital and no employee, expect problems.

Useful Japanese for your accountant or immigration advisor:

経営管理ビザの新基準について相談したいです。 (Keiei kanri biza no shin kijun ni tsuite soudan shitai desu.) — I'd like to consult about the new Business Manager visa criteria.

資本金の増額について教えてください。 (Shihonkin no zougaku ni tsuite oshiete kudasai.) — Please tell me about increasing the registered capital.

経過措置の対象になりますか？ (Keika sochi no taishou ni narimasu ka?) — Am I covered by the transition measures?

Can't meet ¥30 million? Your alternatives

The ¥30 million barrier is real, but it's not the only path to running a business in Japan.

Option 1: Startup Visa (特定活動 — the most practical alternative)

The Startup Visa (外国人起業活動促進事業) lets you stay in Japan for up to 2 years to prepare your business — without meeting the ¥30 million capital requirement upfront. You submit a business plan to a designated local government, and if approved, you get a "Designated Activities" residence status.

The critical change: Time spent under the Startup Visa now counts toward the 3-year management experience requirement. This means the Startup Visa is no longer just a holding pattern — it's a legitimate stepping stone to a full Business Manager visa.

Designated local governments accepting Startup Visa applications include Tokyo, Osaka, Aichi, Kyoto, Fukuoka, Yokohama, Kobe, and others. Each has its own application process and support structure.

Option 2: Highly Skilled Professional visa — limited relief

Note: The October 2025 reform also applies to Highly Skilled Professional (i)(c) and (ii) visa holders doing business management activities. The ¥30 million capital requirement is not avoided by switching to HSP. However, the HSP points-based system may offer other advantages (faster PR path, spousal work rights) if you score 70+ points. Consult an immigration specialist for your specific case.

Option 3: Status change (if you're already in Japan on another visa)

If you're currently on a work visa (Engineer/Specialist, etc.) and considering starting a business, be aware that changing to Business Manager now requires the full new criteria. The old "¥5 million and you're in" route is gone. Consider staying on your current visa while building the business on the side (within the rules of your current status), then switching when you can meet all requirements.

Where to get help (free and paid)

Useful Japanese for initial consultations:

経営管理ビザの新基準に対応できるか相談したいです。 (Keiei kanri biza no shin kijun ni taiou dekiru ka soudan shitai desu.) — I'd like to discuss whether I can meet the new Business Manager visa criteria.

スタートアップビザについて教えてください。 (Sutātoappu biza ni tsuite oshiete kudasai.) — Please tell me about the Startup Visa.

Quick FAQ

I already have ¥5 million in capital. Do I need to add ¥25 million immediately?

Not immediately. If your current visa is valid, you have until your next renewal. During the transition period (until October 2028), immigration will consider your situation holistically. But start planning the capital increase now.

Can my spouse satisfy the Japanese language requirement?

No. It must be you (the applicant) or a full-time employee of your company. A spouse who doesn't work for the company doesn't count.

I have JLPT N3 — is that enough?

No. The minimum is N2 (B2 level). If you can't reach N2 yourself, hire an employee who has it.

My business is profitable but has less than ¥30 million capital. Will I be denied?

During the transition period, immigration considers the overall business situation. A profitable, tax-compliant business with a realistic plan to increase capital has a better chance than a dormant company. After October 2028, the ¥30 million requirement becomes mandatory.

Can I use the Startup Visa to avoid the ¥30 million requirement permanently?

No. The Startup Visa gives you up to 2 years to prepare, but when you transition to Business Manager, you must meet the new criteria. It's a bridge, not an exemption.

Related Articles

• Should You Apply for Japan PR Now or Wait in 2026?
• Residence Card Renewal Japan: Zairyu Card Updates & 14-Day Rule

Need Help Navigating the New Requirements?

Don't wait until your renewal to find out you're missing a required document or that your business plan doesn't meet the new certification standard. On LO-PAL, you can post your question for free — a local Japanese person can help you find the right CPA or tax accountant, explain the capital increase process, or accompany you to the Legal Affairs Bureau. You only pay if you request a task and the helper completes it.