Japan’s Business Manager route now includes a ¥30 million capital test

What the evidence shows

Japan revised the Business Manager landing criteria from 16 October 2025. New applicants need at least ¥30 million of qualifying business assets or capital, at least one qualifying full-time employee, an appropriate office, a professionally reviewed business plan, and sufficient Japanese ability held by the manager or a full-time employee. Existing holders have transitional treatment and should check the separate renewal guidance.

Why it matters

The former ¥5 million shorthand is no longer a safe planning assumption for a new founder application. The capital test is only one part of a multi-factor operating-business assessment, so a thin company setup can fail even if the applicant can fund it.

What this does not prove

• The ¥30 million test does not replace the employee, premises, plan, management-background and language requirements.
• The full-time employee must satisfy the qualifying-status rules in the official guidance.
• The business plan must receive the required professional review.
• Existing Business Manager holders have transitional treatment, so renewal should not be assessed as a new landing application without checking the official guidance.
• The Startup Visa is a separate preparation route and does not itself satisfy the final Business Manager criteria.

Sources

Sources play different roles. A first-hand report can reveal a lead, while a listing, official document or independent report can corroborate or constrain it.