[October 2025 Revision] Japan’s Business Manager Visa Reform Explained

30 Million Yen Capital, B2-Level Japanese Requirement, and New Employment Rules — What Foreign Entrepreneurs Need to Know

---

① Introduction: Why Japan Has Redefined the Business Manager Visa

In October 2025, Japan’s Ministry of Justice announced a major reform of the Business Manager visa (在留資格「経営・管理」), raising the minimum capital requirement sixfold—from 5 million to 30 million yen and introducing new qualification criteria.

The revised Ministerial Ordinance was promulgated on October 10 and will take effect on October 16, 2025.
The Ministry’s official page, titled “Revision of the Landing Standards Ministerial Ordinance concerning the Status of Residence ‘Business Manager’”, includes a full summary PDF of the new rules.

This reform represents not merely a tightening of rules but a shift toward selecting foreign entrepreneurs who can genuinely operate and sustain a business in Japan.

---

② Overview: What Exactly Changed (With Legal References)

Category	Previous Standard	New Standard (Effective Oct 16 2025)	Source
Capital / Investment	¥5 million or more	¥30 million or more	Immigration Services Agency (ISA) “Revision Outline” p. 2
Japanese-Language Ability	―	Either the applicant or a full-time employee must have CEFR B2-level proficiency or higher	Outline p. 3 / Q&A
Full-time Employment	Recommended	At least one full-time employee required	Outline p. 3
Business Experience / Degree	Not specified	Minimum 3 years’ managerial experience or a master’s in business/management field	Outline p. 4
Professional Confirmation	Formal document review	Business plan must be validated by qualified professionals	Outline p. 4
Office Requirement	Home-office sometimes accepted	Home offices generally disallowed; exclusive office space required	Operational Guidelines p. 5
Tax / Social Insurance	Light verification	Proof of proper tax and social-insurance payment required	Operational Guidelines p. 6

Source: Ministry of Justice / Immigration Services Agency, “Revision of the Landing Standards Ministerial Ordinance for the Status of Residence ‘Business Manager’” (October 10 2025).

---

③ Purpose of the Reform: Not Just “Stricter,” but “More Credible”

The Ministry of Justice explains the goal as:

“To promote the acceptance of foreign business managers capable of contributing to Japan’s economy, while preventing cases of nominal or insubstantial business activities.”

In short, this is not exclusionary; it’s a redesign to evaluate credibility, sustainability, and integration.

The B2-level Japanese requirement symbolizes an emphasis on real-world communication skills in business settings,
while the mandatory professional review aims to leverage expert verification to streamline and rationalize immigration examinations.

---

④ Practical Impact: What Applicants Will Experience

1. Capital Requirement (¥30 million)

Applicants must now substantiate the source, legality, and transfer path of their investment.
Simple “name-only” funding structures will likely be rejected.

2. Full-Time Employee Obligation

Employing at least one full-time staff member is mandatory.
Labor contracts, payroll records, and social-insurance registration will be standard supporting evidence.

3. Japanese-Language Requirement (CEFR B2)

Either the applicant or a full-time employee must demonstrate upper-intermediate Japanese ability.
Tests such as BJT ≥ 400 may serve as reference indicators, but applicants are encouraged to combine objective test scores with workplace evidence (emails, reports, meeting minutes, etc.) to prove communication capacity.

4. Professional Verification

Licensed specialists—administrative scriveners, tax accountants, SME consultants—will now certify the feasibility and consistency of the business plan before submission.
This introduces an additional compliance layer but also enhances overall credibility.

---

⑤ Risks and Opportunities After the Reform

Perspective	Risk	Opportunity
Small Entrepreneurs	Higher entry barrier due to capital & employment rules	Strengthen credibility via joint ventures or external investment
Current Visa Holders	Renewal scrutiny under new standards	3-year transition window to align with new requirements
Professional Advisors	Increased documentation burden	Establish stronger multidisciplinary support teams

---

⑥ Renewal & Transitional Measure: 3-Year “Adjustment Period” Reported

According to multiple news outlets (Mainichi Shimbun / Yahoo! News, Oct 10 2025),
the Immigration Services Agency (ISA) has indicated a 3-year grace period:

“Foreigners currently holding the Business Manager visa under the old criteria will be exempt from the revised standards for three years after enforcement.”
“Renewal decisions will consider each applicant’s business condition and prospects for compliance with the new requirements.”

However, this 3-year measure is not yet codified in any publicly released ordinance, guideline, or official Q&A.
It should therefore be regarded as an administrative statement reported by the media, not a legal guarantee.

Meanwhile, the ISA’s official site already requires, for renewals,
submission of a “Statement describing the business management activities during the most recent period of stay.”
(MOJ / ISA official page)

The Ministry further clarifies that renewals are assessed

“from the perspective of whether the applicant can continue engaging in the management or administration of the business.”
(Clarification of Eligibility Criteria for Foreign Business Managers)

In practice, this means the so-called “3-year grace period” functions as an adjustment window—
a period during which existing visa holders are expected to gradually meet the new standards (language, employment, and compliance).

---

⑦ Practical Checklist: Preparing Now for the New Rules

• Verify investment source and remittance documentation.
• Prepare employment contracts + social-insurance enrollment for full-time staff.
• Establish B2-level Japanese proof system (tests + work records).
• Obtain professional review of your business plan.
• Confirm tax and social-insurance compliance.
• Maintain exclusive office lease, signage, and utilities setup.
• Track official Q&A / operational updates regularly.

---

⑧ Conclusion: The Reform Is About Trust Design, Not Exclusion

Japan’s reform of the Business Manager visa is not meant to drive foreign entrepreneurs away—it is designed to visualize trust and stability.

• ¥30 million capital represents financial accountability, not exclusion.
• B2-level Japanese stands for real-world communication ability, not test scores.
• Professional verification ensures transparency and reliability.

The Business Manager visa is evolving into a qualification for trusted, sustainable leadership in Japan.
Those who prepare early—financially, linguistically, and organizationally—will stand on the strongest footing for both renewal and long-term residence.

---

📚 References

• Ministry of Justice: “Revision of the Landing Standards Ministerial Ordinance concerning the Status of Residence ‘Business Manager’” (Oct 10 2025)
• Immigration Services Agency: Revision Outline PDF
• Immigration Services Agency: Business Manager Visa Information Page
• Immigration Services Agency: Clarification of Eligibility Criteria for Foreign Business Managers
• Mainichi Shimbun / Yahoo! News (Oct 10 2025) “Business Manager Visa Capital Requirement Raised to 30 Million Yen”

Related Articles