Japan Slams Brakes on Immigration Policy, Hikes Business Visa Threshold

Tokyo's open-door immigration policy has come to an end as Japan has overhauled its Business Manager visa requirements, making it much harder for foreign entrepreneurs to start a business in the country. The minimum capital threshold has skyrocketed from five million yen to thirty million yen, or roughly one hundred ninety-two thousand dollars, in response to systematic loopholes that allowed individuals to set up empty shell companies.

The new regulations also demand that applicants meet strict operational criteria, including mandatory employment of at least one full-time worker from day one, proven management experience or a relevant advanced degree, and verified business plans reviewed by certified professionals. These hurdles mean solo bootstrappers and small lifestyle business owners are practically priced out.

The crackdown is happening now due to public sentiment shifting sharply as reports piled up regarding shell companies, fraudulent short-term lodging operations, and strains on local municipal resources. Lawmakers faced mounting pressure to clean up the immigration system and restore public trust, while the weak yen and rising domestic costs created a complicated economic backdrop.