\n<\/span>\u2713\u3000Foreigners need a residence status such as Permanent Resident, Long-Term Resident, or Business Manager Visa to become a business owner.<\/mark><\/strong>
\n<\/span>\u2713\u3000 To obtain a Business Manager Visa, the stability and continuity of the business, as well as the management ability of the business owner, are verified.<\/span>\u2713\u3000Corporate registration is required when establishing a company.
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This article summarizes the residence statuses required for foreigners to establish a company.<\/strong><\/mark> It also introduces the conditions for obtaining a Business Manager Visa and the process of company establishment.<\/p>\n By knowing the necessary qualifications and costs in advance, you can ensure a smooth company establishment. Please take a look.<\/p>\n It is possible to establish a company in Japan regardless of nationality or residence status. Both Japanese nationals and foreign nationals, including those staying in Japan on a Student Visa or an Engineer\/Specialist in Humanities\/International Services Visa, can establish a company.<\/strong><\/p>\n Moreover, business activities are possible without establishing a company. This article introduces the procedures and costs for foreigners to establish a company, but if it seems too difficult, consider starting as a sole proprietorship.<\/p>\n Foreign nationals can establish a company, but to be involved as a business owner in the established company, the following residence statuses are required:<\/p>\n Let’s take a look at each residence status.<\/p>\n If you fall into any of the following categories, you can operate as a business owner regardless of nationality:<\/p>\n Even if you do not fall into any of the categories of Permanent Resident, Long-Term Resident, Spouse or Child of Japanese National, or Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident, you can still operate as a business owner if you obtain a “Business Manager Visa.”<\/strong> If your current residence status is other than “Business Manager Visa,” you will need to apply for the Business Manager Visa at the Immigration Bureau and change your residence status.<\/p>\n To apply for a Business Manager Visa, you need to demonstrate that you have the ability to work as a business manager and that you have a business office where you will be involved as a manager. Make sure to meet the following conditions before applying for the Business Manager Visa:<\/p>\n Additionally, to demonstrate the stability and continuity of the business, as well as the management ability of the applicant, you will be required to submit documents such as a business plan, and proof of the applicant’s career history, compensation, and position.<\/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 Related articles<\/p>\n Foreign nationals may not be able to work as business owners depending on their residence status. When establishing a company, it is necessary to proceed with the procedures according to the residence status of the business owner.<\/p>\n Foreign nationals who do not fall into the categories of Permanent Resident, Long-Term Resident, Spouse or Child of Japanese National, or Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident, and who have a residence status other than Business Manager Visa, should proceed with company establishment as follows:<\/p>\n We will explain what needs to be done and points to be noted at each stage.<\/p>\n First, decide on the basic details of the company. At a minimum, the following items need to be determined before establishing the company:<\/p>\n The type of company refers to whether it will be a corporation (Kabushiki Kaisha) or a limited liability company (Godo Kaisha). The type of company chosen will affect the establishment procedures and decision-making processes.<\/p>\n After deciding on all of the above, you should create the company seals. At a minimum, you will need a representative seal, a square seal, and a bank seal. The representative seal is also used during registration, so it is advisable to create it early.<\/p>\n After deciding on the basic details, create the Articles of Incorporation. The Articles of Incorporation are documents that summarize the company’s regulations and basic information, and they are also required for corporate registration. The capital must be deposited into a bank account designated by the founders. It is generally done after the Articles of Incorporation are certified, but it can also be done before certification if it can be proven that the deposit is for the purpose of establishing the company.<\/p>\n The financial institution used for the capital deposit must be regulated by Japan’s Banking Act.<\/strong> If the founder’s bank account is not regulated under Japan’s Banking Act, the founder must either open a new account with a Japanese financial institution or enlist a collaborator who has an account with a Japanese financial institution to become a director or founder and deposit the capital into that collaborator’s account.<\/p>\n Additionally, if the founder’s bank account is an overseas branch of a financial institution regulated by Japan’s Banking Act, it can be used for the capital deposit without any issue. However, since the funds in the account will be in a foreign currency, proof of the exchange rate to Japanese yen will be required.<\/strong><\/p>\n Related articles<\/p>\n Apply for corporate registration at the Legal Affairs Bureau. The application date will be the establishment date of the company, so if you have a specific date in mind, adjust your application date accordingly. Once the corporate registration process is complete, you will be able to obtain a Certificate of Registered Matters.<\/p>\n Additionally, you will need to pay the following registration and license tax for corporate registration:<\/p>\n1.Foreigners without a visa can also establish a company.<\/h2>\n
2.Residence status required for foreigners to become business owners<\/h2>\n
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2-1. Permanent Resident, Long-Term Resident, Spouse or Child of Japanese National, etc.<\/h3>\n
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2-2. Business Manager Visa<\/h3>\n
2-2-1. Conditions for Obtaining a Business Manager Visa<\/h4>\n
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[Important] Possible Changes to the Requirements for the Business Manager Visa (as of August 2025)<\/h5>\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>\n![\"\u30102025](\"https:\/\/s-legalestate.com\/kaigai\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/5afd13daed1bf948571c73bc9854f692-1.png\")
<\/a>\n 3.Procedure for Foreigners to Establish a Company<\/h2>\n
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3-1. Decide the Basic Details of the Company<\/h3>\n
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3-2. Create the Articles of Incorporation<\/h3>\n
\nThe Articles of Incorporation must be submitted to the notary office and certified by a notary public.<\/strong> Since the certification process can take about a week, if you have a specific date in mind for establishing the company, plan accordingly and proceed with the process in a timely manner.<\/p>\n3-3. Deposit the Capital<\/h3>\n
![\"Is](\"https:\/\/s-legalestate.com\/kaigai\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/6a6c71f5b2977df48da0f4f11bb389a8.png\")
<\/a>\n 3-4. Apply for Corporate Registration<\/h3>\n
![\"Opening](\"https:\/\/s-legalestate.com\/kaigai\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/9b55e9ece4c035be4fe93879b6c2f987.png\")
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