Effective date: October 16, 2025 (Thu).
Japan’s Immigration Services Agency (ISA) has amended the Ministerial Ordinance (landing requirements) and the Enforcement Regulations for the “Business Manager” status of residence. This article distills the official guideline into practical steps for founders and companies.
At a glance
Hire at least 1 full-time employee (must be: Japanese, Special Permanent Resident, or a foreign national with a Table II status: “Permanent Resident,” “Spouse/Child of Japanese National,” “Spouse/Child of Permanent Resident,” or “Long-Term Resident”). Those with Table I work/student statuses do not count as “full-time” for this requirement.
Capital/Scale: ¥30 million or more.
Corporations: paid-in capital (K.K.) or total contributions (G.K./Gomei/Goshi).
Sole proprietors: total actually invested for office securing, one year of payroll for employees, equipment, etc.
Japanese proficiency: B2 or higher (per “Japanese Language Education Reference Framework”) held by either the applicant or the full-time employee (e.g., JLPT N2, BJT ≥400, Japanese education credentials, or 20+ years residence).
Background: a master’s/professional/doctoral degree in a relevant field or 3+ years of management/administration experience (the startup-preparation “Designated Activities (No.51)” period counts).
Business plan: must be verified by an expert (SME Management Consultant, CPA, or Licensed Tax Accountant). Note: except for attorneys/administrative scriveners, others may not draft application documents for a fee (Administrative Scrivener Act risk).
Office: home-office is, in principle, not allowed. Secure an office appropriate to the new scale.
Transition (updates): until Oct 16, 2028, updates may be approved on a holistic basis even if you haven’t met all new standards yet; after that, you must meet the new standards.
Permanent Residency/HSFP impact: if you don’t meet the new Business Manager standards after the effective date, PR and HSFP 1(h)→2 based on Business Manager won’t be approved.
- 1 1) What exactly changed?
- 2 2) Japanese B2—How to prove it
- 3 3) Expert-verified business plan
- 4 4) Treatment of applications, renewals, and during stay
- 5 5) Transition rules & “last-minute” filings
- 6 6) Practical compliance checklist (save this)
- 7 7) Frequently asked questions (condensed)
- 8 8) Forms & templates (after Oct 16, 2025)
- 9 9) Bottom line
- 10 💼 Need Expert Support?
- 11 Contact Us
1) What exactly changed?
| Area | Before | After (from Oct 16, 2025) |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time staff | Alternative/looser | Mandatory: 1 full-time employee (Japanese, SPR, or Table-II status foreign national only) |
| Capital / Scale | Often “¥5M” benchmark | ¥30,000,000+ total (see corporate vs. sole proprietor definitions above) |
| Japanese | No uniform bar | B2+ held by applicant or the full-time hire (e.g., JLPT N2, BJT ≥400, Japanese schooling, 20+ yrs residence) |
| Degree/Experience | Considered in practice | Master/Professional/Doctoral degree (or foreign equivalent) or 3+ years management experience (incl. “No.51” startup-prep period) |
| Business Plan | Often formal check | Expert verification required (SME Consultant, CPA, Tax Accountant) |
| Office | Sometimes permissive | Home-office = in principle not allowed; secure a suitable premises |
2) Japanese B2—How to prove it
Who needs B2?
Either the applicant or the full-time employee must have B2-level Japanese ability.
(Japanese nationals and Special Permanent Residents are exempt.)
✅ Acceptable proof examples:
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JLPT N2 or higher certificate
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BJT score of 400+
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20+ years as a mid- to long-term resident in Japan
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Graduation from a Japanese university
(or completion of compulsory education + high school in Japan)
In the application form, clearly state who satisfies the B2 requirement and how,
for example:
“Full-time Japanese employee employed; JLPT N2 certificate attached.”
💡 Important note:
When it comes to Japanese language ability,
the term “full-time employee” also includes foreigners with a Status of Residence under Table 1,
such as holders of Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services (技術・人文知識・国際業務),
in addition to Japanese nationals or permanent residents.
In contrast, for the employment requirement itself,
the full-time employee must be a Japanese national, Special Permanent Resident,
or a foreigner under Table 2 (e.g., Permanent Resident, Spouse of Japanese National, Long-Term Resident).
“Japanese Language Requirement for the Business Manager Visa – Why JLPT N2 Matters.”
3) Expert-verified business plan
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Who counts as “expert”? At implementation: SME Management Consultant, Certified Public Accountant, or Licensed Tax Accountant. (Future changes may be announced by ISA.)
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Compliance tip: Except for attorneys and administrative scriveners, others must not prepare application documents for a fee (risk of violating the Administrative Scrivener Act). Keep roles clearly separated: expert verifies feasibility; scrivener/attorney handles application drafting/submission.
4) Treatment of applications, renewals, and during stay
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Economic substance: If your activities look like outsourced contracting without real executive control, you won’t be treated as engaging in “Business Manager” activities.
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Office: Home-office is, in principle, not accepted; the office must match the enlarged business scale.
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Long absence: Unjustified long stays abroad during your period of stay can cause renewal denials.
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Taxes/insurances at renewal: ISA will check labor insurance (EI/Workers’ Comp enrollment & premium payment), social insurance (health/pension enrollment & payment), and due national/local taxes (corporate or personal, as applicable).
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Regulatory licenses: If licenses can only be obtained after you get the status, submit a reason letter now and show the license at the next renewal.
5) Transition rules & “last-minute” filings
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Filed before Oct 16, 2025: applications (CoE/renewal/status change) continue under old standards.
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But: after Oct 16, 2028, renewals must meet the new standards.
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Renewals filed up to Oct 16, 2028: even if you don’t fully meet the new standards, ISA may holistically assess your business status and prospects (they may ask for an expert-evaluated document).
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From Designated Activities (No.51) → Business Manager:
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If you applied for/hold No.51 before Oct 16, 2025 → at status change you can use old standards.
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If you apply for No.51 on/after Oct 16, 2025 → at status change to Business Manager you must meet the new standards.
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6) Practical compliance checklist (save this)
Capital/Scale
Corporation: Paid-in capital / total contributions ≥ ¥30M (verify via Certificate of Registered Matters)
Sole proprietor: Evidence of actually invested total ≥ ¥30M (office, 1 year of payroll, equipment, etc.; collect contracts, receipts, wire records)
People
1 full-time employee hired (Japanese/SPR/Table-II foreign national), with employment contract and social insurance enrollment complete
Language
B2 Japanese held by the applicant or the full-time employee; attach the certificate/records and state it explicitly in the form
Background
Master/Professional/Doctoral (or equivalent) or 3+ years management experience (count No.51 prep period); attach objective evidence
Business Plan
Expert verification by SME Consultant/CPA/Tax Accountant—opinion attached (specific, reasonable, feasible)
Office
Lease a dedicated office appropriate to the new scale (home-office not acceptable in principle)
Public dues
Labor insurance, Social insurance, National & Local taxes—enrolled and paid; file copies ready for renewal
7) Frequently asked questions (condensed)
Q1. Who qualifies as the “full-time employee” for the mandatory hire?
A. Only Japanese, Special Permanent Residents, or foreign nationals with Table-II statuses (“Permanent Resident,” “Spouse/Child of Japanese National,” “Spouse/Child of Permanent Resident,” “Long-Term Resident”). Table-I statuses do not count.
Q2. How is the ¥30M scale checked for sole proprietors?
A. By confirming the actually invested total (office securing, one year of payroll, equipment, etc.) via contracts, receipts, bank transfers, and similar evidence.
Q3. Who can satisfy the B2 requirement?
A. Either the applicant or the full-time employee (Japanese/SPR excluded). JLPT N2, BJT ≥400, Japanese schooling, or 20+ years residence can be used as proof.
Q4. What if required sectoral licenses can be obtained only after status is granted?
A. Submit a reason letter now; ISA will check the license at next renewal.
Q5. I filed before Oct 16, 2025—do new rules hit me?
A. The old standards apply to that filing, but from Oct 16, 2028 onward, renewals must meet the new standards.
8) Forms & templates (after Oct 16, 2025)
Use the new checklists and forms (CoE, Change of Status, Renewal) and the Explanatory Notes available on the ISA “Business Manager” page (PDF/Excel/Word formats).
9) Bottom line
Japan has moved the Business Manager visa from “check-the-box” to “prove real business”: capital, hiring, language capability, verified planning, proper offices, and clean public-dues records.
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If you’re applying soon, build evidence now—don’t leave any gap.
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If you’re already on Business Manager, use the 3-year window wisely to align with the new standards—especially if you aim for Permanent Residency or HSFP upgrades.
💼 Need Expert Support?
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If you would like to discuss your case, please feel free to contact us by email, LINE, or book a paid online consultation.
Please note that we only provide detailed, case-specific advice through paid consultations.
Inquiries via email or LINE will be answered only within a general informational scope.
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Office Name: Trust Administrative Scrivener Office
Administrative Scrivener: Keiko Utsunomiya
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