Japan Expands Foreign Entrepreneur Visa Nationwide... Starting January Next Year

The Japanese government will expand the 'Entrepreneur Visa' for foreign entrepreneurs nationwide starting January next year. The visa requirements will be relaxed to allow foreigners who wish to do business in Japan to stay across the country for up to two years. The goal is to foster promising companies in fields such as advanced technology and to revitalize local regions.

According to the Nihon Keizai Shimbun (Nikkei) on the 27th, the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan plan to revise related notifications and implement the changes from January 1 next year.

Foreigners who want to start a business or operate a business in Japan must obtain the 'Business Manager' residence status. To qualify, they need a business office, at least two full-time employees, or capital investment of 5 million yen or more. There is also a special provision allowing foreigners to stay in Japan for up to two years without a business office or capital investment, but this was previously limited to special zones including Tokyo.

However, Nikkei emphasized that this restriction will be lifted and the Entrepreneur Visa will be expanded nationwide through this measure. The media noted, "It will become easier for foreigners to stay in Japan and prepare for startups," and added, "The increase in regional startups can also help regional revitalization, which Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba has identified as a key policy."

For example, foreign international students will also be able to stay in Japan and prepare for startups without securing a business office. Another advantage is that the capital investment, which was previously a mandatory requirement, can be used as investment during the early stages of business when cash flow is difficult.

According to statistics from the Japanese Immigration Services Agency, the number of foreigners who entered Japan with the Business Manager residence status in 2023 is estimated to be about 6,300, which is 2 to 3 times higher than the average over the past five years.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.