What is the Business Manager Visa?

The "Business Manager" status of residence allows foreign nationals to establish and run a company in Japan, or to manage a business here.

Who is it for?

• Entrepreneurs starting and running their own company in Japan
• Investors participating in the management of a Japanese company
• Executives sent to manage a Japanese branch of an overseas company
• Those acquiring and managing an existing Japanese company

What you can do

Establish a kabushiki-kaisha or godo-kaisha and serve as its representative or director, manage operations, and build a long-term base in Japan. Meeting the requirements can open the path to permanent residence and to bringing family on a Dependent visa.

Key points after the 2025 reform

Since October 16, 2025 the requirements have been tightened significantly: capital of 30 million yen, employment of staff, a Japanese-language requirement, management experience or a degree, and an expert-verified business plan. See Requirements and 2025 Reform.