Okinawa Startup Visa (Japan) 2025 Guide — Foreign Entrepreneur Support & Ecosystem

If you want to start a business in Japan and are considering Okinawa as your launch base, the Okinawa Startup Visa program (officially: Startup Area Entry Support Project) offers a pathway for foreign entrepreneurs to prepare a business in Okinawa under designated activities status while progressing toward full business operations and eventual long-term visas. 

Okinawa Prefecture has established the Okinawa Global Support Centre, a multilingual one-stop support desk that assists applicants with inquiries, business plan refinement, Japanese documentation, and transition planning toward longer-term visa statuses. 

This article explains the Okinawa Startup Visa system in detail — including overview, eligibility, support services, required documents, procedural steps, timelines, the Okinawa ecosystem advantages, and specialist support considerations.

What Is the Okinawa Startup Visa?

The Okinawa Startup Visa is part of Japan’s Foreign Entrepreneur Activity Promotion framework, implemented locally by Okinawa Prefecture. It allows qualified foreign entrepreneurs to enter or stay in Japan under a Designated Activities (Startup Preparation) status while working on business setup activities. The program defers full Business Manager visa requirements temporarily in recognition of early-stage entrepreneurial needs. 

Okinawa’s implementation includes:

• A comprehensive Okinawa Global Support Centre offering consultation and support in English and Japanese.

• Business plan support and documentation assistance.

• Linkage with local support networks and resources to help founders prepare for longer-term operations. 

The Startup Visa scheme is intended to attract global entrepreneurial talent to Okinawa, reduce entry barriers, and position the prefecture as a hub for foreign-led innovation and business expansion in Japan.

Who can use this program?

The program targets:

• Foreign entrepreneurs or overseas startups planning to enter Japan and set up a corporate presence in Okinawa.

• Individuals seeking structured support to prepare for longer-term business and visa statuses (such as Business Manager) while they complete foundational activities. 

Applicants may be abroad or already in Japan under other permitted statuses. The Okinawa Global Support Centre provides multilingual consultation and preliminary guidance throughout the preparation process.

Okinawa Global Support Centre — What It Offers

Okinawa has a centralized, multilingual support hub for Startup Visa applicants:

Okinawa Global Support Centre — Support Services include:

• Startup Visa inquiries and consultation support in English and Japanese

• Business plan refinement (before formal applications)

• Assistance with preparing Japanese documentation required for the Startup Visa application

• Help connecting with supporting organizations and resources

• After-Startup Visa support activities, including progression toward Business Manager status

• Guidance on office/leasing, residence search, bank account setup, and business partner networking 

The support centre offers both online consultation and offline sessions roughly twice per month in physical locations such as Startup Lab Lagoon NAHA and Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) spaces.

Startup Visa System (Foreign Entrepreneur Activity Promotion)

The core of the system is:

• Okinawa Prefecture receives applications with a business plan and supporting materials.

• After confirming that the applicant’s plans fit the general criteria and show business feasibility, the prefecture issues a confirmation for the startup preparation plan.

• With that confirmation and other required documents, the applicant then applies to the immigration authority for Designated Activities (Startup Preparation) status. 

This mechanism lowers the immediate legal threshold for new entrants and aligns with Japan’s broader strategy to attract foreign entrepreneurial talent. 

Step-by-step process in Okinawa

Step 1: Contact the Okinawa Global Support Centre (Recommended)

Prospective applicants should begin with consultation at the Okinawa Global Support Centre. This helps clarify requirements, understand documentation expectations, and refine a business plan before formal submission. 

Step 2: Prepare and Submit Startup Preparation Plan

Applicants prepare and submit:

• Startup preparation activity plan

• Resume / CV

• Proof of residence plan for the first year

• Proof of sufficient funds to cover living and return costs

• Other necessary documentation as required by Okinawa Prefecture 

Okinawa Prefecture requires certain materials to be provided at the time of the startup preparation confirmation request. 

Step 3: Review and Confirmation by Okinawa Prefecture

Okinawa reviews submitted documents and confirms whether the applicant’s plan meets the general criteria and feasibility standards for a startup preparation phase. 

Step 4: Designated Activities (Startup Preparation) — Immigration Application

Once the prefectural confirmation is received, the applicant uses it as a formal basis to apply to immigration authorities for Designated Activities (Startup Preparation) status. 

Step 5: Post-Visa and Longer-Term Visa Progression

After obtaining Designated Activities status, entrepreneurs begin their preparation activities in Okinawa. Over time, founders who have met more advanced business setup requirements may transition to longer-term visas such as Business Manager. 

Required Documents (General Overview)

Okinawa’s official page lists specific documents required for the startup preparation activity confirmation application, such as:

• Startup preparation activity plan (in Japanese format)

• Applicant’s resume / personal history form

• Proof of residence arrangement for the first year after landing or status change

• Proof of financial resources to support living costs and return expenses

• Other documents that demonstrate business intent and feasibility

These requirements broadly align with the national framework for Startup Visa implementation, where financial viability and clarity of plan are key components.

Who can submit the application package?

Applications to Okinawa Prefecture can be submitted by:

• The applicant themselves

• Support personnel as designated by Okinawa Prefecture and the support desk

Applicants based outside Japan may coordinate remotely but formal submission procedures and follow-ups are generally handled in coordination with the support centre.  

What Happens After Designated Activities Are Granted

Once a foreign entrepreneur receives Designated Activities (Startup Preparation) status through immigration:

• The founder can begin startup activities in Okinawa.

• The support centre and local ecosystem resources remain available to assist with business setup.

• During the preparation period, entrepreneurs are expected to actively pursue business establishment steps, moving toward longer-term visa eligibility.

Participation in ongoing local support activities and compliance with immigration requirements is important to maintain status and achieve longer-term goals.

 Why Okinawa Is an Attractive Startup Destination

Okinawa’s startup ecosystem has several unique strengths that can support entrepreneurs beyond visa logistics:

1. Growing Innovation Hubs and International Networks

The Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) plays a central role in the startup ecosystem as a source of research, acceleration programs, and innovation collaboration. OIST has partnerships and accelerator initiatives that bring global startup talent into Okinawa and provide mentoring, funding, and industry connections. 

2. Cross-Border Collaboration and Regional Integration

OIST and partner platforms have signed memoranda to strengthen entrepreneurship in Asia and the region, contributing to a broader innovation network centered in Okinawa. 

3. Rising Local Startup Activity and Support Programs

Multiple startup acceleration and support programs, including local accelerator cohorts and innovation bootcamps, are active in Okinawa. These programs often offer funding opportunities, mentorship, and access to industry networks. 

4. Government and Private Sector Support

Okinawa authorities and economic development organizations are fostering an environment conducive to entrepreneurship through coordinated initiatives and public–private partnerships that strengthen startup development and cross-sector cooperation. 

Key Compliance and Practical Considerations

Foreign entrepreneurs should note:

• The Okinawa Global Support Centre’s assistance is comprehensive, but professional legal documentation and immigration strategy remain important for formal applications.
• Startup Visa schemes are part of a broader strategic ecosystem — entrepreneurs should align with local business activity expectations and long-term planning.
• Visa confirmation by Okinawa Prefecture, like local programs elsewhere in Japan, does not guarantee immigration approval; it supports the immigration process.

How our office can help (Business plan + COE/Immigration support)

The Okinawa Startup Visa system, while offering wide support, still intersects with areas where professional administrative and immigration expertise is valuable:

• Business plan development and structuring tailored for immigration and investor visibility.

• Document preparation for submission to local authorities and immigration offices.

• Strategic pathway planning for long-term visa transitions (e.g., Business Manager).

• Assistance in complex cases, language barriers, and compliance documentation.

Our firm can help foreign founders evaluate whether the Okinawa Startup Visa makes sense for their goals and build a robust strategy from inception through longer-term visa execution.

References(Official Sources)

• Okinawa Prefecture: Startup Visa support page (Startup Area Entry Support Project) 

• Okinawa Global Support Centre support overview

• OIST Innovation Accelerator and ecosystem activities 

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