What’s Changing
Capital Requirement: Minimum investment to rise 6x to ¥30m (US$203k) from current ¥5m.
Employment: Must hire at least 1 staff member.
Eligibility Checks: Applicants to undergo education & experience reviews.
Business Plans: Mandatory vetting before approval.
Permit Duration: Still up to 5 years.
Context
Program popularity has grown: 41k visa holders in 2024 vs. 27k in 2020.
Japan has sought to attract entrepreneurs but with mixed success.
Immigration agency says new rules will ensure “appropriate acceptance” and align with international standards.
Implementation: Expected mid-October 2025, pending public feedback.
Implications
Foreign Entrepreneurs: Higher barriers to entry — favors serious, well-capitalized applicants.
Startups/SMEs: Could discourage smaller-scale ventures, especially in services.
Policy Signal: Balancing need for innovation with stricter quality control on inbound businesses.
Regional Angle: May push some early-stage entrepreneurs to look at Singapore or South Korea instead.
Bottom Line: Japan is tightening the gate — fewer, but potentially higher-quality foreign business venturesexpected under the new visa regime.
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