Visas · UPDATED JUNE 24, 2026
Visas for founders
How to legally start and run a company in Japan, from the Startup Visa to the Business Manager visa.
VISA ROUTES · 5 OPTIONS
The main visa routes for founders who want to start and run a company in Japan.
Business Manager Visa
Immigration Services Agency
The standard long-term visa to own and run a company in Japan.
Founders running an established company in Japan.
Fukuoka Startup Visa
Fukuoka City
Japan's first startup-visa city, with English-friendly support.
Foreign founders in Fukuoka (English support at Growth Next).
Japan Startup Visa
METI / Immigration
Designated Activities status to set up a company before the Business Manager visa.
Foreign founders, via 20+ approved municipalities.
Osaka Startup Visa
Osaka Innovation Hub
Osaka's startup visa with advisory sessions and business matching.
Foreign founders in Osaka (via OIH).
Tokyo Startup Visa
Invest Tokyo (TMG)
TMG one-year preparation visa with monthly advisor check-ins.
Foreign founders launching in Tokyo (via BDCT).
No opportunities match these filters.
If you want to build a company in Japan, the path usually runs in two steps: get in on a Startup Visa, then move to a Business Manager visa once the company is real.
The Startup Visa
The Startup Visa gives you a window (commonly six months to a year) to get set up without first meeting the full capital and staffing requirements of the Business Manager visa. It is run through participating local governments. Tokyo wards such as Shibuya offer English-language support to walk you through it, including help with housing, banking, and a registered address.
Use this stage to incorporate, open a business bank account, sign an office lease, and build the foundation the next visa asks for.
The Business Manager visa
This is the longer-term visa for running a business in Japan. It has minimum capital and substance requirements, and those rules were revised in 2025, so the exact thresholds change. Check the official source below for the current figure before you plan around a number.
Where to get help
JETRO runs free support centers for founders and investors, and ward programs like Shibuya Startup Support exist specifically to help non-Japanese founders land. Start with them rather than going it alone, the process is very paperwork-heavy.
Always confirm current requirements on the official pages linked above. Rules and amounts change, and this guide is an orientation, not legal advice.
COMMON QUESTIONS
Can I move to Japan to start a company without a job offer?
Yes. The Startup Visa gives you 6 to 12 months of residence to prepare a business without meeting the full requirements up front. Tokyo, Shibuya, Fukuoka and Osaka all run programs, some with English support, and you graduate to the Business Manager visa once the company is running.
How much capital do I need for the Business Manager visa?
Following the 2025 revision, the standard benchmark is 30 million yen in capital or two full-time employees, plus a real office. Requirements change, so confirm the current thresholds on the Immigration Services Agency page before planning around them.
What is the Startup Visa in Japan?
A residence status for founders preparing a business, granted through participating municipalities for 6 to 12 months. It exists precisely so you can set up (incorporate, find an office, open accounts) before you can meet the Business Manager visa requirements.
Can I start a company in Japan while on a work visa?
You can generally found and own a company while employed, but running it day to day usually requires switching to the Business Manager visa. Check your current status's limits before committing, and treat this as orientation, not legal advice.
Which Japanese cities have startup visa programs in English?
Tokyo and Shibuya both run startup visa programs with English support, and Fukuoka has long positioned itself as the startup visa city. Each municipality has its own process and timeline.
Genkan is an orientation, not legal advice. Rules and amounts change, so always confirm the current details on the official pages above.