Chapter 1: What Is Japan’s Start-up Visa?｜The First Step for Those Who Want to Start a Business in Japan

Hello and welcome.

Recently, we’ve been receiving more and more inquiries from overseas, such as:
“I want to start a business in Japan, but I don’t know how the visa works.”
“Can I go to Japan to prepare my business even if I haven’t set up a company yet?”

Actually, Japan has a system specifically designed for foreign entrepreneurs — the Start-up Visa.

◆ What is the Start-up Visa?

The Start-up Visa allows foreign nationals to stay in Japan for up to 2 years in order to prepare for starting a business.

Even if you haven’t established a company yet, haven’t secured an office, or haven’t transferred funds to Japan, you can still come to Japan first and carry out the necessary steps locally.

◆ Why does this system exist?

The biggest reason is that you need a Japanese bank account to apply for the Business Manager Visa — but in order to open a bank account, you need to already have a visa.

Normally, to apply for the Business Manager Visa, you must:

Have your company officially registered in Japan
Have secured an office or place of business
Have at least ¥5 million in capital deposited in a Japanese bank account

But here’s the catch — most Japanese banks require a residence card (i.e., a visa) to open an account.
This creates a “chicken-and-egg” problem: you can’t open a bank account without a visa, and you can’t get a visa without a bank account.

◆ How did people manage before this visa?

Until recently, many people would ask a trusted friend or partner living in Japan to act as the company founder,
and use that person’s bank account to deposit the required capital.

While this method wasn’t necessarily illegal, it carried risks — such as questions about the true business operator during the visa screening process, or denial due to “nominee-only” arrangements.

The Start-up Visa was created to allow the real entrepreneur to carry out business preparation in their own name, without relying on someone else’s identity or bank account.

◆ Where is the Start-up Visa available?

This visa is not available nationwide in Japan.
It is only offered in certain local municipalities that have received authorization from the Immigration Services Agency and the Ministry of Justice.

Some well-known participating cities include:

Tokyo (23 wards)
Osaka City
Yokohama
Nagoya
Fukuoka
Kobe

Each region may have slightly different requirements and support systems, so it’s worth checking when deciding where to base your company.

◆ Basic application process

Submit your start-up plan and related documents to the local government
Receive a “Start-up Confirmation” from the local authority
Apply for the “Designated Activities (Start-up Preparation)” visa at the Immigration Bureau
Enter Japan and begin your business preparations
Once ready, switch to the Business Manager Visa

◆ Who is this visa ideal for?

First-time entrepreneurs who want to prepare while in Japan
Those who wish to find office or residential space after arriving
Applicants who have funds but no Japanese bank account yet
Couples or teams planning to launch a business together in Japan

◆ Important notes

The Start-up Visa is a temporary status for business preparation only.
It does not allow long-term residence or full business operations on its own.

You must establish your company, transfer the required capital, and launch your business within the 2-year limit in order to switch to a proper Business Manager Visa.

⚠️ Upcoming Regulation Change (as of August 2025)

The Japanese government plans to revise the visa requirements.
The current standard of “5 million yen in capital or 2 employees” may be replaced by:

30 million yen in capital
1 full-time employee (Japanese or work-authorized)

This regulatory update is expected to be enacted within 2025.

◆ Final thoughts

The Start-up Visa is a very helpful system for those seriously considering starting a business in Japan.
However, the required documents, procedures, and screening standards may vary by region.

If you’re unsure whether this visa is suitable for you, or if you want help developing your start-up plan or navigating the application process, feel free to reach out.
We’re here to support your first steps toward doing business in Japan.