Business Manager

It is stipulated as "Activities engaged in the management or management of trade and other businesses in Japan (excluding activities engaged in the management or management of businesses that cannot be done without qualifications related to legal and accounting business)". The specific cumulative total of activities is as follows.

1. Activities to start and manage a business in Japan or engage in the management of the business
2. Activities to participate in a business that is already in operation in Japan, manage it, or engage in management of that business
3. Activities to manage or manage a business on behalf of a person (including a corporation) who manages the business in Japan

The "Business Manager" status will be granted only if all of the following requirements are met:

1. The business office for operating the business must exist in Japan. However, if the said business has not yet commenced, a facility to be used as the office for operating the business must be secured in Japan.
   The facility used as the business office does not need to be owned, but in the case of a lease, permission for its use as a business office must be obtained.
   If a part of the residence is to be used as the business office, the residential space and the business space must be clearly demarcated.
2. The scale of the business must satisfy both of the following criteria:
   ａ）The business must be conducted with at least one full-time employee residing in Japan (limited to Japanese nationals, spouses of Japanese nationals, permanent residents, spouses of permanent residents, or long-term residents), other thanthe person engaged in the management or administration of the business.
   b）The total amount of assets used for the business (including the amount of capital and total investment) must be 30 million yen or more (¥30,000,000 or more).
3. Among the persons (excluding part-time staff) who will manage or administer the said business, at least one person must possess a level of ability to independently understand and use the Japanese language that is higher than the standard level. Furthermore, this person must be planning to reside in Japan when the applicant begins the business management or administration.
   (Those who have passed the N2 level or higher of the JLPT, or those who have resided in Japan for 20 years or more, are deemed to satisfy this requirement.)
4. The applicant must satisfy one of the following criteria:
   ａ）The applicant must possess a Doctoral degree, Master's degree, or professional degree in a field related to business management or administration, or in a field requiring necessary skills or knowledge for the business concerned.
   b）The applicant must possess three years or more of experience in business management or administration.
5. If the applicant is to be engaged in the administration of the business, they must receive remuneration equal to or greater than the amount a Japanese national would receive for engaging in the same work.

• In the application for the "Business Manager" visa, the "Business Plan" has always been crucial for the assessment of the applicant's "business continuity." This time, however, a new requirement has been established: the Business Plan must be reviewed and confirmed by an expert with professional knowledge in management (such as a Small and Medium Enterprise Management Consultant, Certified Public Accountant, or Tax Accountant).
  (Note that the creation of a Business Plan for a visa application by anyone other than an attorney or a certified administrative scrivener (Gyoseishoshi) for compensation may constitute a violation of the Administrative Scrivener Act.)
• Furthermore, if confirmation by the management expert is not obtained for the Business Plan, the plan must be revised until the necessary confirmation is secured.
• In the past, approval was sometimes granted even without a highly robust Business Plan, but going forward, it is essential that the plan is thoroughly prepared.
• If you find it difficult to prepare the Business Plan yourself, we strongly recommend seeking support from someone with extensive experience in business planning.
  We have been involved in the formulation of business plans for many years during our time as company employees, and based on our extensive experience, we will fully support the creation of your ”Business plan”, so you can leave it to us with confidence.

• Upon renewing the "Business Manager" visa, the fulfillment of the payment obligations for the following public dues and taxes (kōso kōka) will be confirmed:
  ①Status of Labor Insurance Application
  　・Fulfillment of the obligation to register for Employee Eligibility under Employment Insurance.
  　・Fulfillment of the obligation to pay Employment Insurance premiums.
  　・Status of procedures for the application of Workers' Accident Compensation Insurance (Rōsai Hoken).
  ②Status of Social Insurance Application
  　・Fulfillment of the obligation to register for Employee Eligibility under Health Insurance and Employees' Pension Insurance (Kōsei Nenkin Hoken).
  　・Fulfillment of the obligation to pay the premiums for the aforementioned Social Insurance.
  ③Payment Status of National and Local Taxes Payable by the Business
  　(For Corporations - Hōjin)
  　・National Taxes: Withholding Income Tax and Special Income Tax for Reconstruction, Corporate Tax, Consumption Tax and Local Consumption Tax.
  　・Local Taxes: Corporate Resident Tax (Prefectural Tax and Municipal Tax), Corporate Enterprise Tax.
  　(For Sole Proprietors - Kojin Jigyō nushi)
  　・National Taxes: Withholding Income Tax and Special Income Tax for Reconstruction, Declared Income Tax and Special Income Tax for Reconstruction, Consumption Tax and Local Consumption Tax, Inheritance Tax, Gift Tax.
  　・Local Taxes: Individual Resident Tax (Prefectural Tax and Municipal Tax), Individual Enterprise Tax.
• Furthermore, applicants are now required to submit materials proving the status of necessary licenses and permits acquired for the business they operate.

Our office will support the establishment of a company for those who are thinking of establishing a company with the acquisition of the status of residence of "Business Manager".