\u2713\u3000Permanent residents and long-term residents can be involved in a company as managers without special conditions. \u2713\u3000Permanent residents and those with residency statuses other than the Business Management Visa may not be able to become managers.<\/strong><\/mark><\/span><\/p>\n \u2713\u3000When establishing a company as something other than a manager, practical experience in business management may be required.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n This article summarizes what foreigners need to know when establishing a company. It also introduces the conditions required for company establishment and how to obtain a Business Management Visa.<\/p>\n By understanding the necessary residency status for company establishment, you will be able to establish a company smoothly. Please take a look.<\/p>\n Regardless of nationality or whether residing domestically or abroad, it is possible to establish a company in Japan. However, depending on the residency status, it may not be possible to act as a manager of that company within Japan. Here are the three types of residency statuses required to act as a manager within Japan:<\/p>\n If you hold any of the following residency statuses that do not impose work restrictions, you can establish a company and become a manager without any special conditions:<\/p>\n The procedure for establishing a company is the same as for Japanese nationals. Additionally, since you are free to work in Japan, you can also be involved in the company in roles other than as a manager, such as a branch manager or director.<\/p>\n Those who hold a “Business Management Visa” can manage a company within Japan.<\/strong> However, if you establish a company in Japan and manage it from abroad, a Business Management Visa is not required.<\/span><\/p>\n For those who do not yet have a “Business Management Visa” but wish to establish a company and manage it within Japan, it is necessary to obtain the visa by fulfilling all of the following conditions:<\/strong><\/p>\n Let’s look at each of these conditions in detail.<\/p>\n There are reports suggesting that the requirements for obtaining a Business Manager Visa may become stricter around October 2025. Although this is not confirmed information at this stage, the following points have been highlighted as potential changes:<\/p>\n \u30fbIncrease in capital requirements<\/strong> \u30fbMandatory employment of full-time staff<\/strong> \u30fbIntroduction of requirements for the manager\u2019s background and academic qualifications<\/strong> For those considering starting a business in Japan or applying for a Business Manager Visa, it is necessary to prepare on the assumption that such changes may take place.<\/p>\n For the latest information and procedures tailored to your specific situation, please feel free to contact our office.<\/p>\n The business office must be secured within Japan<\/strong>. To demonstrate that it is not a paper company, submit the “Real Estate Registry Certificate” if the property is owned, or the “Lease Agreement” if it is a rental property.<\/p>\n It is necessary to prepare at least 5 million yen as capital.<\/strong> However, it is not required for one person to prepare the entire 5 million yen. The total amount of investment must be 5 million yen or more, so if there are other company founders, they can jointly prepare the funds.<\/span><\/p>\n Alternatively, if the capital is not at least 5 million yen, the condition can also be met by employing two or more full-time employees. However, the employees must be one of the following:<\/span><\/p>\n \u95a2\u9023\u8a18\u4e8b<\/p>\n The business to be established must also have continuity and stability. Submit documents such as the business content, revenue and expenditure projections, and a business plan to demonstrate continuity and stability.<\/p>\n \u95a2\u9023\u8a18\u4e8b<\/p>\n Permanent residents, spouses or other relatives of permanent residents, spouses or other relatives of Japanese nationals, and long-term residents can also establish a company in Japan. However, they cannot become the business owner themselves.<\/span><\/p>\n To become a business owner, it is necessary to obtain a Business Management Visa.<\/strong> Let’s look at how to obtain this visa.<\/p>\n To establish a company and become a business owner in Japan, you must have one of the following qualifications: permanent resident, spouse or other relative of a permanent resident, spouse or other relative of a Japanese national, long-term resident, or a “Business Management Visa.”<\/p>\n While it is not immediately possible to become a permanent resident, spouse or other relative of a permanent resident, spouse or other relative of a Japanese national, or long-term resident, it is possible to obtain a “Business Management Visa” through specific procedures.<\/span> Follow these steps to apply for a “Business Management Visa.”<\/p>\n Secure a business office. While it is possible to use a room in your home as a business office, preparing a separate location will make it less likely for the business to be suspected of being a paper company.<\/strong><\/p>\n If you use your home as a business office, it is desirable to clearly distinguish between the residential area and the business office, such as using a separate entrance.<\/span> Additionally, you can clearly separate the residence and the office by having separate nameplates and appropriately dividing utility costs (e.g., based on the proportion of the residence and office areas).<\/p>\n After securing a business office, establish the company. Prepare the articles of incorporation, deposit the capital, and apply for company registration with the Legal Affairs Bureau.<\/p>\n Additionally, submit a notification of business commencement to the tax office and other relevant authorities. If starting a business such as a restaurant or travel agency, you will also need to complete the necessary licensing procedures.<\/strong><\/p>\n After meeting the conditions explained in 1-2, apply for a “Business Management Visa” at the Immigration Bureau following the establishment of the company. Submit the following documents:<\/p>\n Depending on the type of residency, you may be required to submit different documents. Be sure to inquire about the required documents at the Immigration Bureau before visiting.<\/p>\n Related articles<\/p>\n Even if you are not a business owner, you can be involved in the company. For example, when involved as a director or branch manager, you may be able to obtain a “Business Management Visa” if you meet the following conditions:<\/p>\n You must have at least three years of experience in business management or administration. If you specialized in management or administration in graduate school, that period can also be included.<\/strong><\/p>\n You must receive a salary that is comparable to or higher than that of a Japanese person performing the same duties. When applying for a “Business Management Visa,” you will need to submit documents that show your salary, such as pay slips.<\/p>\n In this article, we explained the important things that foreigners should know when establishing a company.<\/p>\n To summarize the content, the following points were covered:<\/p>\n \u2713\u3000Permanent residents and long-term residents can be involved in a company as managers without special conditions. \u2713\u3000Permanent residents and those with residency statuses other than the Business Management Visa may not be able to become managers.<\/strong><\/mark><\/span><\/p>\n \u2713\u3000When establishing a company as something other than a manager, practical experience in business management may be required.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n Foreigners can establish a company, but depending on their residence status, they may not be able to become the business owner. When establishing a company as a business owner, it is necessary to have the appropriate residence status.
\n<\/span><\/p>\n1.Conditions for Opening a Business in Japan and Become Managers<\/h2>\n
\n
1-1. Holding Residency Status as a Permanent Resident or Long-Term Resident<\/h3>\n
\n
1-2. Holding a “Business Management Visa Japan”<\/h3>\n
\n
[Important] Possible Changes to the Requirements for the Business Manager Visa (as of August 2025)<\/h4>\n
\n(Current) \u00a55 million or more \u2192 (Proposed revision) \u00a530 million or more<\/p>\n
\n(Current) Choice between capital requirement or hiring \u2192 (Proposed revision) In addition to the capital requirement, employment of at least one full-time staff member will be mandatory<\/p>\n
\n\u201cAt least 3 years of management\/administration experience\u201d or \u201cA master\u2019s degree or higher related to management\/administration\u201d<\/p>\n1-2-1. [Condition 1] The business office must be secured.<\/h4>\n
1-2-2. [Condition 2] A capital of at least 5 million yen or the employment of two or more people.<\/h4>\n
\n
![\"\u7d4c\u55b6\u7ba1\u7406\u30d3\u30b6\u306e\u8cc7\u672c\u91d1500\u4e07\u5186\u3092\u5fb9\u5e95\u89e3\u8aac\uff01\u6e96\u5099\u304b\u3089\u7533\u8acb\u3001\u5931\u6557\u4f8b\u3001\u66f4\u65b0\u307e\u3067\"](\"https:\/\/s-legalestate.com\/kaigai\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/d7087c1d196f17995124b332b1a25519.png\")
<\/a>\n 1-2-3. [Condition 3] The business must have continuity and stability.<\/h4>\n
![\"\u30102025\u5e74\u6700\u65b0\u3011\u7d4c\u55b6\u7ba1\u7406\u30d3\u30b6\u306e\u8a31\u53ef\u7387\u3092\u4e0a\u3052\u308b\u306b\u306f\uff1f\u5c02\u9580\u5bb6\u304c\u6539\u6b63\u5f8c\u306e\u8981\u4ef6\u3068\u4e0d\u8a31\u53ef\u4e8b\u4f8b\u3092\u5fb9\u5e95\u89e3\u8aac\"](\"https:\/\/s-legalestate.com\/kaigai\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/090018dab27db6a52b0b1a9a2f762598.png\")
<\/a>\n 2.Procedure for Foreigners to Establish a Company and Obtain a Business Management Visa<\/h2>\n
\n
2-1.Secure an office.<\/h3>\n
2-2.Establish a company.<\/h3>\n
2-3.Apply for a “Business Management Visa.”<\/h3>\n
\n
![\"Opening](\"https:\/\/s-legalestate.com\/kaigai\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/9b55e9ece4c035be4fe93879b6c2f987.png\")
<\/a>\n 3.Conditions for Foreigners to be Involved as Managers in a Company<\/h2>\n
\n
3-1. At least three years of practical experience in management.<\/h3>\n
3-2. Receiving a salary comparable to that of others engaged in the same duties.<\/h3>\n
4.Summary<\/h2>\n
\n\n
\n \u2713\u3000Anyone, regardless of nationality, can establish a company without special conditions.<\/span><\/p>\n
\n<\/span><\/p>\n
\nIf you do not have the appropriate residence status, you will need to aim to obtain a Business Management Visa. If obtaining a Business Management Visa is difficult, consider having a person with the appropriate qualifications become the business owner and getting involved as a manager.<\/p>\n
![\"0120-85-0457](\"https:\/\/s-legalestate.com\/kaigai\/wp-content\/themes\/legal_estate\/assets\/images\/sidebar\/cta_tel_en.svg\")
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