Japan visa rules push out foreign residents

Japan has tightened its visa requirements, primarily targeting the "Business Manager" visa to eliminate fraudulent shell companies. The new rules including significantly higher capital thresholds and local hiring mandates, are forcing legitimate, small-scale foreign entrepreneurs out of the count.

The minimum business investment requirement surged from 5 million yen to 30 million yen. Business owners are now required to employ at least one full-time Japanese national or a foreign resident with unrestricted work status such as a permanent resident.