Japan Business Manager Visa Reform (Effective October 2025): New JPY 30M Capital Requirement Explained

If you are planning to start or manage a business in Japan as a foreign national, the rules have changed significantly. On October 16, 2025, the Immigration Services Agency of Japan (ISA) implemented sweeping reforms to the Business Manager visa (在留資格「経営・管理」) that affect both new applicants and current visa holders.

The five new requirements — higher capital, mandatory employees, Japanese language proficiency, management experience, and expert-verified business plans — apply immediately to new applicants. Existing holders have a three-year grace period until October 2028.

What Changed: Overview of the 2025 Reform

The amended ministerial ordinance, promulgated on October 10, 2025, introduced five major changes:

Requirement	Before (Pre-Oct 2025)	After (Oct 16, 2025 onward)
Minimum capital	JPY 5 million	JPY 30 million
Full-time employees	Encouraged but not mandatory	At least 1 required
Japanese language ability	Not required	CEFR B2 / JLPT N2 level
Management experience	Not required	3+ years or Master’s degree
Business plan review	Self-submitted	Expert verification required

1. Capital Requirement: JPY 5 Million to JPY 30 Million

The most impactful change is a sixfold increase in the minimum capital investment, from JPY 5 million (approx. USD 33,000) to JPY 30 million (approx. USD 200,000).

The ISA’s stated goal is to “foster substantive business operations and prevent nominal company establishments.”

What counts as capital: The JPY 30 million refers to the registered capital (shihon-kin) or total investment in the business.

2. Employee Requirement: At Least One Full-Time Staff Member

New applicants must now hire at least one full-time staff member who holds one of the following statuses:

• Japanese national
• Permanent resident or special permanent resident
• Spouse or child of a Japanese national
• Spouse or child of a permanent resident
• Long-term resident

Note: Foreign nationals holding work visas (Appended Table 1 statuses) do not qualify for this requirement.

3. Japanese Language Proficiency

Either the applicant or a full-time staff member must demonstrate Japanese language ability at CEFR B2 level or equivalent:

• JLPT N2 or higher
• BJT Business Japanese Proficiency Test score of 400 or above
• Graduation from a Japanese university or high school
• 20 or more years of residence in Japan

Note: For the language requirement, the “full-time staff member” definition is broader and includes Appended Table 1 visa holders (unlike the employee requirement in section 2).

4. Management Experience or Education

Applicants must demonstrate either:

• At least 3 years of management experience (including time under Startup Visa), or
• A Master’s degree or higher in a related field

5. Business Plan Expert Verification

Business plans must be reviewed and verified by one of the following qualified professionals:

• Small and medium enterprise management consultant (chusho kigyo shindanshi)
• Certified public accountant (konin kaikeishi)
• Certified tax accountant (zeirishi)

The plan must be deemed “specific, reasonable, and feasible.”

Note from ISA: Persons other than lawyers and administrative scriveners (gyouseishoshi) who prepare application documents for submission to government agencies as a business for compensation may be in violation of the Administrative Scriveners Act.

Additional Operational Requirements

• Physical office required — home office as business address is generally not permitted
• Active management required (cannot outsource all operations)
• Extended absences may lead to non-renewal
• Tax and social insurance compliance verified at renewal
• All necessary business permits and licenses must be obtained and documented

Transitional Measures

A three-year grace period applies from October 16, 2025 to October 16, 2028:

• Existing holders will be evaluated comprehensively during this period
• After the grace period: full compliance is required, with a possible exception for companies demonstrating good performance and measurable progress
• Highly Skilled Professional visa holders engaged in business management activities should also be aware of potential impacts at renewal

What Should You Do Now?

For New Applicants

1. Secure sufficient capital — ensure you can demonstrate JPY 30 million in registered capital or total investment
2. Identify a qualified full-time staff member — begin recruitment of a resident-status holder early
3. Prepare for the language requirement — either achieve JLPT N2 yourself or ensure a qualifying employee meets the threshold
4. Document your management experience — gather evidence of 3+ years of management roles or your Master’s degree
5. Engage a certified expert for your business plan — connect with a shindanshi, CPA, or certified tax accountant well before filing

For Existing Holders

1. Assess your current compliance against all five new requirements
2. Use the grace period strategically — begin closing any gaps now rather than waiting until 2028
3. Consult a registered immigration specialist to evaluate your renewal outlook

Startup Visa Pathway

If the JPY 30 million threshold is prohibitive, consider entering through a Startup Visa (offered by designated municipalities), which allows you to build your business during a preparatory period before transitioning to a Business Manager visa.

How AEGIS Can Help

At AEGIS International Administrative Firm, we provide:

• Full English-language support throughout the application process
• Guidance on the new requirements tailored to your business situation
• Coordination with certified business plan reviewers (shindanshi, CPAs, certified tax accountants)
• Compliance assessment for existing holders preparing for renewal under the new rules

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This article is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Immigration rules are subject to change, and individual circumstances vary. Please consult a qualified professional before making decisions based on this content.