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Startup Visas are a new (as of 2022) category of work visa issued by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) of Japan. This visa allows foreign entrepreneurs, who receive business support from local public entities or private organizations recognized under the regulations set by METI, to reside in Japan for up to one year. While Working Visas cover employment by public or private companies and Business Manager Visas are offered to established companies seeking to move into Japan, the Startup Visa is exclusively targeted at launching businesses centered around plans, ideas, and vision.
It allows immigrants with a viable business plan with growth potential to enter Japan with fewer constraints, like securing a physical location and initial capital, thus easing their entry into the Japanese market.
To qualify for the visa, it is necessary to prove that the applicant will launch and operate an innovative business in one of the selected municipalities, or so-called National Strategic Special Zones.
The startup visa is similar to the Business Manager Visa but comes with more flexible requirements. While specific conditions vary by municipality, the main differences include:
While the startup visa is a great option for many immigrant entrepreneurs, it’s meant to be a stepping stone, not a long-term solution. Holders are generally expected to switch to a Business Manager Visa once their startup visa expires.
As of July 2024, startup visas are being issued in 14 cities and prefectures.
*The initial visa is for 6 months duration. However, during these 6 months, the municipality will review your progress periodically: usually monthly. If the authorities find the progress of your preparations satisfactory, you will be allowed to renew your startup visa once for another 6 months.
There are not many differences across municipalities. However, each municipality has different regulations — for example, Shibuya requires regular business progress interviews, and failure to comply can result in visa invalidation. It is important to understand these municipality-specific requirements. Please check and contact on a municipality you chose for the latest regulations.
Here is a very brief summary of the process for obtaining the visa. More details can be found on the METI website and those of individual municipalities.
1. Apply to 1 of the 14 municipalities:
The 14 municipalities approved for issuing a Startup Visa in Japan require the submission of documents for application. Each municipality targets specific types of businesses (written in ‘Municipalities and Their Target Business Sectors’), offering visas with durations of 6 months to 1 year. It’s crucial to review each municipality’s restrictions and policies before applying to ensure compatibility with your startup’s focus and goals.
2. Document Examination and Interview:
The examination process for the Startup Visa includes a detailed review of submitted documents and an interview. The document review ensures the business plan and other submitted materials meet the specific criteria and requirements set by the municipality. During the interview, applicants may be asked to elaborate on their business model, strategies for success, and how they plan to contribute to the local economy. This comprehensive evaluation helps determine whether the applicant will receive the Startup Visa.
3. Results:
Successful candidates are notified that they have met the necessary criteria and are eligible to proceed with their business establishment in Japan under the Startup Visa’s temporary residency status.
Each of the 14 cities has a diversity of supported startup ventures. Therefore, a city you have never heard of may be able to support your field. Let’s take a look at the technological fields supported by the three cities (source: JETRO).
Shibuya
Sendai
Ibaraki Prefecture
“I learned that Shibuya Ward would start a Startup Visa program for entrepreneurs in 2020, and I applied the moment the program started.”
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Wei Chai is the CEO and founder of Mona, offering IT consulting services and products such as Mona Menu, a mobile food ordering app. At first he considered applying for a Business Manager Visa to start a business in Japan, but found out it would be difficult as it would require capital of at least 5 million yen. However, he discovered that Shibuya Ward was launching a Startup Visa program for entrepreneurs in 2020 and promptly applied as soon as it opened
Since we launched Blackbox, we have been focusing on interviewing founders in Japan, and some of them have an experience getting startup visa. Have a look through our past interviews for inspiration!
There are many startup communities and supports hubs available for entrepreneurs just starting out in Japan. Don’t hesitate to reach out!
OIH is an innovation support center established by Osaka City in 2013, so it has over a decade of experience serving as a gathering place for entrepreneurs and technologists to support the creation of new businesses and their scale-up efforts. With approximately 200 events and programs annually, OIH facilitates the exchange of diverse people and ideas, contributing to developing an innovation ecosystem in the Kansai region.
We interviewed Nae Nakamura, the director of OIH’s Startup Support Division, discussed the organization’s activities and Osaka’s appeal.
Japan's Venture Academy (JVA) is an organization aimed mainly at Tokyo students. With support from the Shibuya City government, they aim to cultivate entrepreneurship through a student-oriented 3-month fellowship. They hold various programs and events that most of them are in English.
We spoke with core members Kento Akiyama and Egor Sheverev about why they launched JVA and the details of their activities.
There are many startup communities in Japan; more than you think!
We listed up some of them on this article: Find Your Startup Community in Japan.
The Startup Visa offers significant benefits, such as a lower barrier to entry, access to local networks and resources, and extensive financial support from the Japanese government. These advantages make it easier to start and grow a business in Japan.
However, as you can tell, the process can be intensive. The amount of information and scope of support among the 14 municipalities varies widely, with many municipal websites uploading information directly translated from Japanese.
Don’t know where to start? We got you! Blackbox cooperates with some of cities which have strongest startup support in Japan. Check out our directory page.
