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Japan's Policy Change: Will the 5 Million Yen Immigration Threshold Become History?
- Angela Liu
- 1 day ago
- 4 min read
On August 26, 2025, a bombshell announcement regarding a sixfold capital increase for Japan's immigration visa sent shockwaves through the immigration community. While Japanese media had previously reported on the matter, this time it was an official government announcement, making the price hike a reality. The Japan Business Manager Visa has long been favored by applicants from Asia due to its low threshold, fast processing, and high success rate. According to official data, as of December 2024, the total number of foreign residents in Japan was 3,768,977. Among them, 41,615 held a Business Manager Visa. Of these visa holders, Asians accounted for a staggering 93.6% (38,960 people), with Chinese nationals topping the list at 21,740.
Proposed Policy Changes
On August 26 of this year, the Japanese government (e-Gov) publicly announced a draft for changes to the Japan Business Manager Visa. The specific proposed changes are as follows:
● Capital Requirement: Increased from ¥5 million to ¥30 million!
● Employee Requirement: Must employ at least one full-time staff member!
● Applicant Requirement: Must have at least 3 years of business or management experience, or possess a master's degree or higher in a related field!
Why Did Japan's Investment Threshold Skyrocket Sixfold?
Before the Japanese government's official public announcement, news of the policy change had been continuously circulating. Major authoritative Japanese media outlets, including The Yomiuri Shimbun and The Asahi Shimbun, had published articles that foreshadowed the policy shift.
The Yomiuri Shimbun
In June 2025, The Yomiuri Shimbun published an article titled "Foreign Entrepreneur Visa Requirements to Be Raised... The Current 'Capital of ¥5 Million or More' Requirement Is Low to Curb the Influx of a Large Number of Chinese and Other Foreigners," directly singling out Chinese applicants. According to statistics from the Immigration Services Agency of Japan, as of June 2024, the number of Chinese citizens who had obtained a Business Manager Visa reached 20,551, which is more than double the number in 2015 and accounts for over half of the total number of foreigners residing in Japan with this visa. The report also mentioned cases in regions like Osaka where many Chinese citizens were establishing private accommodation management companies to obtain a visa and settle in Japan. Consequently, raising the capital requirement is aimed at tightening what is considered a "cheap" requirement compared to other countries and curbing the influx of Chinese individuals who do not align with the purpose of the visa system.
The Asahi Shimbun
In August 2025, The Asahi Shimbun published an article titled "Immigration Bureau Finally Decides to Tighten Entrepreneur Residency Status; Capital Requirement to Increase Sixfold to ¥30 Million." The article stated that the Immigration Services Agency of Japan was in the final stages of adjusting the requirements for the "Business Manager" residency status, with plans to raise the capital requirement for foreigners who wish to start a business in Japan to "¥30 million or more." This would mean a sixfold increase from the current capital requirement. After hearing the opinions of an expert panel in August, the agency plans to revise the ministerial ordinance and aims to implement the new policy within the year.
From the perspective of major Japanese media and official government stances, the primary purpose of this significant increase in the investment threshold for the Business Manager visa—from ¥5 million to ¥30 million—is to raise immigration barriers, strengthen the integrity of the system, and effectively prevent the abuse of the visa program.
The initial intent of this policy adjustment is mainly reflected in the following aspects:
● Combating Fraudulent Investment and Shell Companies
The previous ¥5 million threshold was relatively low, which led to some applicants registering companies merely to obtain a visa, lacking actual business operations, and even using the system for illegal activities. Raising the capital requirement helps to screen for investors with a genuine willingness to conduct business in Japan, ensuring they have sufficient funds for substantive commercial operations.
● Attracting High-Quality Talent and Capital
The Japanese government hopes to attract foreign entrepreneurs who can truly contribute to the Japanese economy. The higher investment requirement is designed to attract applicants with more robust capital and stronger business management capabilities.
● Optimizing and Improving the Existing System
Amid a global trend of tightening immigration policies, Japan's action is an adjustment and optimization of its existing system. The new policy aims to make the Business Manager visa program more aligned with Japan's current economic development and social needs, ensuring its sustainability and effectiveness.
Globevisa Lawyer's Advice:
Seize the Final Window and Prepare for a Future Capital Increase!
In response to this policy change, Globevisa's Japan legal team has conducted a professional assessment. Based on the officially published policy direction, past policy adjustment experiences, and multiple reports from authoritative Japanese media, our lawyers believe there is a very high probability that this proposal will be implemented. Once it takes effect, the new policy could be formally enforced as early as mid-October. Our legal team points out that this policy revision is not a sudden move but a long-term strategy by the Japanese government to optimize the immigration structure and attract high-quality foreign investment. By raising the threshold, the government can effectively select more capable and reliable investors, thereby promoting healthy economic development in Japan. This change is not a simple adjustment but a major turning point in Japan's immigration policy.
For all prospective applicants, time has entered its final countdown. Racing against the clock to seize the last window of opportunity before the current policy is officially tightened is an urgent step toward achieving your goal of immigrating to Japan. The Globevisa Japan project team and legal team have entered a full state of readiness to provide applicants with efficient application services. At the same time, we strongly advise applicants to prepare for capital increases and hiring employees in advance. It is crucial to recognize that Japan's long-standing lenient immigration policy may come to an end after mid-October.
If you are interested in Japanese immigration, we invite you to follow Globevisa for the latest policy updates and expert solutions.
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