Japan raises Business Manager capital requirement to 30 million yen Oct. 16

Japan tightens the Business Manager bar

Japan’s Business Manager status now asks for 30 million yen in capital or investment, plus one full-time local employee and a stronger business plan. The stricter rules took effect Oct. 16, 2025, after the Immigration Services Agency revised the approval standard under the immigration law.

The updated criteria also require relevant management experience or an advanced degree and one manager or key employee must show Japanese ability at roughly CEFR B2, which many guides treat as similar to JLPT N2. The agency is looking for real operations, not paper companies.

Who feels the change most

New foreign founders and small business owners face the biggest hurdle. The old 5 million yen threshold is gone for new filings, so solo consultancies, small restaurants and online-first businesses have a much harder path if they want to use Japan as a base.

Tourists and most ordinary workers are unaffected. Existing Business Manager holders get a transition window, but only for renewals filed through Oct. 15, 2028 and approval still depends on the company’s finances, tax record and chances of meeting the new standard.

What applicants need to line up

Anyone filing now needs to show capital sources, an office, payroll plans and a business plan reviewed by a qualified professional such as a tax accountant or CPA. Immigration will check whether the money is real and whether the company can actually hire and operate in Japan.

Applicants already in Japan who hoped to switch into Business Manager status should expect a much tougher review. For some nomads and microbusiness owners, that makes other routes more realistic, including short-stay visits or employer-sponsored status instead of a business setup.

Read our full Japan guide for the complete picture.