Kanagawa Startup Visa (Japan) — Complete 2026 Guide for Foreign Entrepreneurs

If you want to start a business in Japan but do not yet meet the full requirements for the Business Manager visa, Kanagawa Prefecture offers a structured pathway through its Startup Visa program (Foreign Entrepreneurial Activity Promotion Program).

This system allows foreign entrepreneurs to prepare their business in Japan under a more flexible framework, before fully meeting the Business Manager visa requirements.

What is the “Startup Visa” in Kanagawa Prefecture?

In Japan, to obtain a Business Manager visa, foreign entrepreneurs must normally meet strict conditions such as:

• Securing a business office
• Hiring at least one full-time employee
• Having at least 30 million yen in capital

These requirements are difficult to meet at the initial stage.

Under the Kanagawa Startup Visa, even if these requirements are not yet satisfied:

• You can submit a Startup Preparation Activity Plan to Kanagawa Prefecture
• If the prefecture confirms that you are likely to meet the requirements,
• Immigration will review your application based on that confirmation

As a result, you may obtain a Designated Activities (Startup Preparation) status for up to 2 years, during which you can prepare your business.

Important Note
“Startup Visa” is not a visa category itself.
The actual status granted is:
→ Designated Activities (特定活動)

Two-Step Process

Kanagawa follows the standard nationwide structure:

1) Prefecture Review (Plan Confirmation)

You submit your startup preparation plan.

Kanagawa Prefecture:

• Reviews feasibility
• Confirms potential to meet Business Manager requirements

If approved:

→ You receive a Confirmation Certificate

2) Immigration Review

With the certificate:

→ You apply to Immigration
→ Immigration makes the final decision

Important:
Approval is not guaranteed, even with the certificate.

Unique Feature: Outsourced Application Support (Tsukurie Co., Ltd.)

Kanagawa’s program has a distinctive operational structure.

After submitting an initial inquiry:

• The contracted operator (Tsucrea) will send:
  → A detailed application form URL
  → Within 2 business days

This indicates:

• Initial screening and communication are partially outsourced
• Applicants will interact with a support operator, not only the prefecture

Practical implication:

→ The process may include guided application steps rather than direct submission only

Who Can Apply?

Kanagawa Prefecture states that the Startup Visa program is for foreign nationals who plan to start a business in Kanagawa Prefecture. As a general rule, it is intended for persons who currently reside outside Japan.

This means the program is not described as open-ended for all foreign residents already in Japan. Applicants should therefore confirm their current residence situation carefully before proceeding.

Target Business Fields in Kanagawa Prefecture

Kanagawa Prefecture clearly defines the eligible business fields for its Startup Visa program.
To qualify, the proposed business must fall under one of the following categories, and in all cases it must be recognized as having novelty and growth potential.

Eligible business fields

1. Mibyo, life science, and welfare-related businesses
2. Decarbonization, environmental, and energy-related businesses
3. IT, AI, and robotics businesses
4. Mobility and transportation equipment-related businesses
5. Tourism, agriculture, forestry, fisheries, and food-related businesses
6. Advanced materials-related businesses
7. Space-related industries
8. Culture and arts-related industries
9. Other businesses specially recognized by the Governor of Kanagawa Prefecture as contributing to:
   • solving social issues, and
   • strengthening international industrial competitiveness and enhancing Kanagawa’s role as an international economic hub

Important note

Kanagawa Prefecture specifies that all eligible businesses must be recognized as having both novelty and growth potential.
In other words, it is not enough for a business to simply fall within one of the listed sectors. The applicant must also show that the business is innovative and capable of growth.

For this reason, applicants should clearly explain:

• what makes the business new or innovative,
• why it has growth potential, and
• how it contributes to Kanagawa Prefecture’s economic and industrial development.

Application Flow

To use this system, the following process is required:

Step 1 – Prepare your Startup Preparation Activity Plan

You must prepare a detailed business plan showing:

• Business content
• Feasibility
• Path to meeting Business Manager requirements

Step 2 – Submit to Kanagawa Prefecture

Submit your application documents to the prefecture.

This is called:

→ Startup Preparation Activity Plan Confirmation

Kanagawa evaluates whether your plan has a high likelihood of meeting Business Manager requirements within the allowed period.

Step 3 – Contact via Designated Operator (Important)

All inquiries must be sent by email:

• Contact email:
  kanagawa-startup-visa@tsucrea.com

After contacting:

→ The contracted operator (Tsukurie Co., Ltd.) will send you
→ A detailed application input form URL
→ Within 2 business days

Important:

• Initial consultation is handled via email and form only
• Phone inquiries are not the primary channel

Step 4 – Review by Kanagawa Prefecture

Kanagawa Prefecture:

• Reviews your submitted plan
• Determines whether it meets Startup Visa criteria
• Evaluates the probability of transitioning to Business Manager

Step 5 – Certificate Issuance

If approved:

→ You receive a
Startup Preparation Activity Confirmation Certificate

Step 6 – Apply to Immigration

With the certificate:

→ Apply to Immigration for
Designated Activities (Startup Preparation)

Final approval is decided by Immigration.

Required Documents (Official Forms)

Kanagawa provides specific application forms:

• Application for Confirmation
• Startup Preparation Activity Plan
• Applicant Resume
• Written Oath

Important:

• English reference forms exist
• Submission must be in Japanese

Additional Notes on Documents

Applicants must prepare:

• A realistic and detailed business plan
• Documents showing feasibility and execution ability

Full guidance documents are currently:

• Application Guide → Under preparation
• Q&A → Under preparation

Key Compliance Concept

Kanagawa evaluates:

→ Whether the applicant can realistically obtain a Business Manager visa within 2 years

This means:

• The plan must be concrete and executable
• Financial preparation must be credible
• Business model must be realistic

Role of Tsukurie Co., Ltd.

Kanagawa’s program uses a delegated operator:

• Company: Tsukurie Co., Ltd.
• Role:
  • Initial contact handling
  • Form distribution
  • Application guidance

This is a key structural difference from other municipalities.

Why Kanagawa?

Kanagawa offers:

• Close proximity to Tokyo
• Strong international business environment
• Advanced industrial ecosystem
• High-level startup infrastructure

It is especially suitable for:

• Technology startups
• Life science and healthcare
• Environmental innovation
• Global business development

How Our Office Can Help

Kanagawa’s Startup Visa is not simply a document submission process.

It is a feasibility-based screening system.

Trust Administrative Scrivener Office supports:

• Business plan structuring (approval-oriented design)
• Preparation of application documents
• Immigration application strategy
• Transition planning to Business Manager visa

References

• Kanagawa Prefecture official Startup Visa page (as of April 22, 2026)

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