Japan Immigration News

Japan to tighten requirements for popular business manager visa

Release Date: 2025-08-04
Media: The Asahi Shimbun
Summary: Japan’s Justice Ministry plans to tighten requirements for the business manager visa, which is intended to attract entrepreneurs but has been criticized as too easy to obtain. The minimum capital will rise from 5 million yen to 30 million yen, and holders must hire at least one full-time employee. Currently, applicants can qualify with 5 million yen in capital or two employees.

The change follows concerns over abuse—such as paper companies and short-term rental (“minpaku”) operations—particularly among some Chinese nationals, though their share of visa holders has stayed at around half for the past decade. The reforms, to be implemented this year after expert consultation, will include exceptions for certain startup and “future creation individual” visa holders.

Other countries already demand higher capital thresholds—e.g., South Korea (32 million yen), the U.S. (15–30 million yen), and Singapore (11 million yen). While the number of business manager visa holders more than doubled from 18,100 in 2015 to 41,600 in 2024, reports of misuse prompted bipartisan calls for stricter rules.
Tags: Business Manager

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