Ōita Startup Visa (Japan) 2025 Guide — Foreign Entrepreneurs & Regional Support

If you want to start a business in Japan but are not yet ready to satisfy the full Business Manager requirements, Ōita Prefecture’s Startup Visa (officially: Foreign Business Startup Activity Promotion Program) offers a structured way for foreign entrepreneurs to prepare and launch their ventures from Ōita.

Ōita’s approach is part of the nationwide Startup Visa framework certified by Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), and it offers a period of Designated Activities (Startup Preparation) status that allows founders to prepare a business while moving toward longer-term visas.

This article explains the system in detail — overview, eligibility, required documentation, procedural steps, compliance points, regional advantages, and specialist support needs — so you can understand how it works before applying.

What Is the “Startup Visa” in Ōita?

Ōita Prefecture participates in the METI-authorized Startup Visa program, which enables foreign entrepreneurs to enter Japan or change their status to Designated Activities (Startup Preparation) while they prepare to meet full business setup requirements.

Under the program, entrepreneurs submit a startup preparation activity plan to Ōita Prefecture. The prefecture reviews the plan, considering the opinions of subject-matter specialists, and issues a confirmation certificate if the plan is judged likely to meet Business Manager requirements within a defined period. The entrepreneur then submits that certificate and other required documents to the respective Immigration Bureau to seek approval of Designated Activities status.

Successful applicants can initially be granted a period of stay of up to 1 year or 6 months (renewable) in Startup Preparation status, and renewal may be requested before expiration to extend the total period.

Who Can Use This Program?

Ōita Prefecture’s Startup Visa is for foreign entrepreneurs who plan to start a business in Ōita Prefecture and intend to progress to a Business Manager visa or equivalent long-term status within the preparation period.

This includes applicants already residing in Japan under other visas as well as those currently overseas. As part of the review process, the startup plan must demonstrate feasible preparation activities for the foreseeable period.

Key Requirement: Incubation Facility Residence Condition

Unlike some other Startup Visa program implementations, Ōita Prefecture requires that the Startup Visa project be conducted at eligible incubation facilities. The program specifies that startup activities must take place at either:

• A facility owned or operated by a local public body (such as a prefectural or municipal incubator) that supports entrepreneurs, or

• An incubator facility that has a cooperation agreement with Ōita Prefecture under its startup support system.

Designated facilities include locations where an incubation manager is stationed to support founders — for example:

• Oita International Students Business Center SPARKLE, located in Beppu city’s APU Plaza OITA, which is listed as an incubator facility with resident support personnel.

This incubator entry condition is a distinct feature of the Ōita program and means applicants must plan to situate their startup preparation activities within one of these approved facilities to qualify for confirmation.

Step-by-Step Process in Ōita

Step 1: Prepare Startup Preparation Activity Plan

Entrepreneurs must prepare a comprehensive plan outlining their startup activities, objectives, financial viability, market strategy, and the intended timeline for establishing a business that will satisfy Business Manager status requirements.

Supporting materials typically include:

• Startup Preparation Activity Confirmation Application 

• Startup Preparation Activity Plan

• Cash flow and financing schedules

• Applicant’s resume

• Proof of residence plan for the first year

• Proof of funds to support living expenses and return travel if needed

• Evidence of meeting the designated activity criteria under the national notice

• Any other supporting documents deemed necessary by the governor.

Step 2: Submit to Ōita Prefecture

Applicants submit the above documents to the Prefecture’s department handling business creation and finance (経営創造・金融課). The prefecture then reviews the documents and solicits expert input on feasibility.

Step 3: Receive Confirmation Certificate

If the prefecture judges the plan to meet the criteria, it issues a confirmation certificate that shows the applicant is eligible to apply for Designated Activities status.

Step 4: Apply to Immigration

With the confirmation certificate and necessary immigration documents, the applicant files to the Immigration Bureau in their jurisdiction. Upon approval, they receive Designated Activities (Startup Preparation) status, typically for a fixed period with renewal options.

Required Documents (Brief Overview)

Ōita’s official guidance lists required items that broadly mirror national expectations for Startup Visa programs, including:

• Startup Preparation Activity Confirmation application

• Startup Preparation Activity Plan

• Funding and financial projections

• Applicant’s resume

• Proof of accommodation for at least one year

• Proof of funds covering living costs and contingency return funds

• Proof of eligibility under the national Startup Visa notice criteria

• Any other materials the governor deems necessary.

Note: Detailed document checklists and form templates are published by the prefecture on its official page.

Who Can Submit the Application Package?

Applications can be submitted by the entrepreneur themselves or, where applicable, by a representative. In practice, many foreign applicants engage professionals such as administrative scriveners (gyoseishoshi) to help ensure all documentation properly satisfies both prefectural and immigration requirements.

After Receiving Designated Activities (Startup Preparation)

Once granted Designated Activities status, entrepreneurs must operate their startup preparation activities in accordance with the plan approved by Ōita Prefecture. This includes continuing operations within the approved incubation facility and regularly demonstrating progress toward business establishment.

Successful entrepreneurs may pursue renewal of their Designated Activities status or transition to a Business Manager visa once they satisfy the requirements for long-term business operation.

Ōita Ecosystem and Regional Strengths

Ōita Prefecture offers several unique advantages for foreign startup founders:

1. Unique Location and Lifestyle Benefits

Ōita combines a lower cost of living with access to regional markets and a lifestyle environment that balances work and quality of life. Tourism tied to onsen culture, hospitality and wellness industries creates business opportunities in adjacent sectors such as health tech, hospitality innovation, and service platforms.

2. Supportive Local Startup Infrastructure

The Oita International Students Business Center (SPARKLE) and the Oita Startup Center provide hubs where founders can:

• Access mentoring and advisory sessions

• Utilize coworking and event spaces

• Participate in seminars and community events for startup founders and investors.

In addition, the broader startup ecosystem in Ōita includes accelerators, community networks, and industry development programs — all aimed at nurturing early-stage ventures that extend beyond visa facilitation to real business growth.

3. Local Industry Context

Ōita also participates in broader regional creation initiatives, including small and medium enterprise acceleration, networking events, and business development support through city and prefecture partnerships. Events such as pitch competitions and startup workshops are common.

Key Compliance and Practical Points

Based on national Startup Visa principles (which apply across regions like Fukuoka, Niigata, Kumamoto, and Ōita):

• A confirmation certificate from the prefecture does not guarantee approval by the Immigration Bureau; it supports the application.

• Founders must demonstrate reasonable feasibility of meeting Business Manager criteria within the allowed period.

• Regular progress and active development toward full business operations are expected throughout the startup preparation period.

How Our Office Can Help (Business Plan + Immigration Support)

Ōita’s Startup Visa program is more than basic paperwork; it is an evaluation of your capacity to build a viable business that will ultimately qualify you for a Business Manager visa. We provide:

• Business strategy planning that aligns with immigration expectations

• Document preparation support for both prefectural and Immigration Bureau submissions

• Compliance support for residence status transitions and renewals

• Guidance on incubator integration and facility requirements

Whether you choose the Ōita Startup Visa or a direct Business Manager visa strategy, we can help you structure your preparation to maximize the chance of successful outcomes.

References (Official Sources)

• Ōita Prefecture: Foreign Business Startup Activity Promotion Program (Startup Visa) official page.

• Ōita Startup Support Facilities list (including SPARKLE incubator).

• Oita Startup Center resources and local ecosystem.

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