Complete Guide to Japan Startup, Business Manager, and Investor Visas — Top 10

⚡ 30-second answer: The Business Manager visa requires ¥5,000,000 capital and 2 full-time employees or a dedicated office. Fukuoka, Tokyo, Kobe and other Startup Visa zones offer a 6-12 month grace period to prepare capital. Initial costs ¥5,000,000-30,000,000. From visa issuance to business launch takes 6-12 months — a fast track to permanent residency.

Quick reference	Value
Business Manager capital	¥5,000,000
Startup visa	Capital OK after grace
Incorporation cost	¥250,000-300,000
Office rent	¥80,000-300,000/month
Last verified	June 2026

30-Second Answer

The Business Manager visa (formerly Investor/Business Manager) has three key requirements: ① ¥5,000,000+ capital, ② 2+ full-time employees or a dedicated office, ③ a business plan. Fukuoka, Tokyo, Kobe, Aichi, Niigata, Hiroshima, Sendai, and others run "Startup Visa (Designated Activities)" programs, giving you 6-12 months to prepare capital and launch the business. Incorporation costs ¥80,000 for a GK (LLC) or ¥250,000-300,000 for a KK (joint-stock); realistic Year 1 total costs run ¥5,000,000-30,000,000 (capital + office + payroll + working capital). The Business Manager visa renews on 1, 3, and 5-year cycles — after 5 years and meeting other requirements, you can apply for permanent residency. Fukuoka City's "Startup City Fukuoka" stands out for corporate tax breaks, free coworking space, and incorporation support.

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Cost Breakdown

Initial costs for a Business Manager visa-backed company:

• Capital: ¥5,000,000 (minimum)
• GK (LLC) incorporation: ¥80,000-100,000
• KK (joint-stock) incorporation: ¥250,000-300,000
• Administrative scrivener (incorporation, visa): ¥300,000-800,000
• Office rent: ¥80,000-300,000/month + 6-month deposit
• Coworking: ¥30,000-80,000/month (only some accept Business Manager visa)
• Full-time employee salary: ¥250,000-400,000/month × 2
• Social insurance: ~30% of salary (employer share)
• Tax accountant retainer: ¥30,000-80,000/month
• Corporate/inhabitant/business tax: ~34% of profit
• Consumption tax: 10% (taxable status above ¥10M sales)
• Visa renewal fee: ¥4,000-6,000

Realistic Year 1 totals: ¥10,000,000-25,000,000. Target break-even is typically Year 3.

Support for International Founders

Fukuoka's Startup Visa team has dedicated English, Chinese, and Vietnamese desks, with the Fukuoka City Global Startup Center providing one-stop support from incorporation through tax filing and visa renewal. Klook lists "Fukuoka 1-Day Business Tour" at ¥15,000-25,000 — great for site visits and networking. Tokyo runs the "Tokyo One-Stop Business Establishment Center" for foreign founders. Kobe's KSO (Kobe Startup Office) is popular for its mentor support. The safest path is to delegate incorporation to a judicial or administrative scrivener — English-speaking firms (30+ in Tokyo and Fukuoka) are easy to find. The standard flow is to receive capital as JPY via international wire, then deposit into a dedicated capital account.

Schedule

• Startup Visa application: Via city, 1-2 months
• Designated Activities grace: 6-12 months
• Company registration: 1-2 weeks
• Corporate bank account: 2-8 weeks (tougher for foreigners)
• Capital deposit: ~1 week before/after incorporation
• Business Manager visa: 1-3 months after capital is prepared
• Visa renewal: Apply 3 months before expiry
• Tax office filing: Within 2 months of incorporation
• Social insurance: Within 5 days of incorporation
• Fiscal year end: Flexible (March is common)
• Tax return: 2 months after fiscal year-end

Payment Methods

• Overseas transfers: Wise/SWIFT for ¥5,000,000+ capital (¥30,000-80,000 fees)
• Corporate accounts: SMBC, MUFG, Japan Post, PayPay Bank, GMO Aozora
• Personal accounts: SMBC Trust Prestia, Rakuten Bank
• Credit cards: Corporate cards (need track record)
• E-money: PayPay and LINE Pay support corporate
• Tax payments: Bank transfer, auto-debit, or credit card
• Salary: Typically paid on the 25th
• Dividends: After fiscal year, 20.42% withheld

Sending ¥5,000,000 capital via Wise costs ¥30,000-60,000; direct bank SWIFT runs ¥50,000-100,000.

Watch Out For

• No paper companies: Hollow corporations get visa revoked
• No borrowed capital: Must be own funds or shareholder investment
• Office requirement: Home addresses rejected, lease required
• Full-time staff definition: 30+ hrs/week with social insurance
• Business plan: 5-year numbers must be realistic
• Tax audits: More common from Year 3
• Director compensation: Must be set within 3 months of fiscal start, fixed
• PR requirements: 5 years of Business Manager + full tax compliance

5 Common Mistakes

1. Applying with borrowed capital: Denial, flagged as shell company
2. Filing with home office: No business substance, denied
3. Zero full-time staff: Treated like a sole proprietor
4. Abstract business plan: Numbers and market size missing = denial
5. Tax arrears: Renewal denied, PR blocked

Pre-Departure Checklist

• Pick a Startup Visa host city (Fukuoka, Tokyo, etc.)
• Draft business plan in English and Japanese
• Prepare ¥5,000,000 capital with balance proof
• Engage administrative/judicial scrivener (English-speaking)
• Set up Wise to send capital
• Visit 3-5 office candidates
• Research 2 candidate full-time staff
• Engage tax accountant and labor consultant
• Passport valid 1+ years
• Home country business track record (resume, achievements)

FAQ

Q1: Difference between Startup Visa and Business Manager visa? A: Startup Visa gives 6-12 month grace to prepare capital; Business Manager is the official post-launch visa.

Q2: Is ¥5,000,000 enough? A: Technically meets the minimum, but realistic total with operating expenses is ¥10M+.

Q3: Can sole proprietors get a Business Manager visa? A: Usually corporations only; sole props are case-by-case under "Designated Activities."

Q4: What about spouse and family visa? A: Spouse and children of Business Manager holders qualify for Dependent visas.

Q5: When can I apply for permanent residency? A: After 5 years on Business Manager visa + full tax payment + ~¥30M assets.

Editorial info: Yen Finder Editorial / Last verified June 2026.