Business Manager
Japan Immigration
News Archives
This is an archive of immigration/residence related news. We compile news related to Japan immigration from various data sources.You can narrow down the information using the tags at the left side of the screen.
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What is "Business Manager"?
The “Business Manager” status of residence in Japan is a visa category granted to foreign nationals who wish to run or manage a company in Japan.
It was renamed from the former “Investor/Business Manager” status in 2015, making it applicable not only to foreign-funded enterprises but also to Japanese-capitalized businesses.
To obtain this status, applicants are required to secure a physical office (virtual offices are not permitted) and meet certain business scale requirements, such as having at least 5 million yen in capital or employing two or more full-time staff members. Furthermore, the applicant must engage as a manager or executive, rather than as a regular employee.
In the case of managers, at least three years of relevant experience, graduate-level study in management, or an equivalent salary is required.
The period of stay ranges from long-term visas of three to five years to short-term options such as four months, which allow preparation before a company is officially established.
In recent years, requirements have become stricter.
From October 2025, the capital requirement is scheduled to be significantly raised from the current 5 million yen to 30 million yen.
This policy change aims to prevent misuse of the system, enhance credibility, and attract higher-quality entrepreneurs and business managers.
As a result, the hurdles for foreign entrepreneurs entering the Japanese market are expected to become considerably higher.