Japan Business Manager Visa 2026: The New ¥30 Million Investment Requirement Explained

Japan Business Manager Visa 2026: The New ¥30 Million Investment Requirement Explained

If you have been researching how to run a business in Japan as a foreign national, you may have encountered older guides citing ¥5 million as the minimum investment required for a Business Manager visa. That figure is no longer correct.

As of October 2025, the minimum investment capital threshold was raised to ¥30 million (approximately $190,000–$200,000). The change was part of a broader policy shift aimed at attracting higher-quality business investment rather than small-scale nominal establishments.

This article explains what changed, how the Business Manager visa works under the new rules, and what alternatives remain for smaller-scale entrepreneurs.

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What the Business Manager Visa Is

The Business Manager visa (経営・管理ビザ) is Japan's primary visa category for foreign nationals who want to establish and manage a business in Japan. It covers:

• Business owners / founders
• Directors and managing officers of Japanese corporations
• Branch managers of foreign companies with Japan operations

The visa permits the holder to engage in business management and administration activities. Employees working for the business use different visa categories (engineer, humanities, etc.).

Duration: Initially 1 year, renewable. Can be extended to 3 or 5 years with a track record. Long-term holders can apply for permanent residency after 10 years (or faster via the Highly Skilled Professional points system).

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What Changed in October 2025

Prior to October 2025, the minimum business establishment investment was ¥5 million. This was set decades ago and was considered a low barrier that resulted in many borderline or nominal establishments.

The October 2025 revision raised this to ¥30 million, a sixfold increase. The official rationale cited:

1. Aligning Japan's investment threshold with comparable business immigration programs in other developed economies
2. Reducing applications from businesses without genuine operational intent
3. Attracting businesses likely to have meaningful economic and employment impact

The ¥30 million figure applies to the total investment in the Japanese entity — this includes office setup costs, initial operating capital, inventory, equipment, and other startup expenses. It does not have to be cash sitting in a bank account; it can be documented as invested and deployed capital.