Office of the Governor for Policy Planning

Program to increase foreign entrepreneurs

- Smoother business startups in Tokyo by foreign nationals through deregulation -

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government is advancing various efforts under the National Strategic Special Zone system to attract more foreign investment, talent, and companies to the city by building the most business-friendly environment in the world. One recent initiative is the launch of a new service to increase foreign entrepreneurs setting up business in Tokyo through a relaxation of requirements for acquisition of status of residence.

This program employs the “special provision to the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act concerning the acceptance of foreign entrepreneurs,” which is prescribed in Article 16-4 of the Act on National Strategic Special Zones. Under this system, foreign nationals wishing to start up business in Tokyo can be given six months to fulfill the requirements (e.g. opening an office and employing at least two people full-time or investing at least 5 million yen in Japan) to obtain a “business manager” visa.

Launch date

January 29, 2016

Subjects

Foreign nationals wishing to start business in Tokyo
(including those planning to be joint founders)

Place of consultation/application

Business Development Center TOKYO

【Akasaka Desk】

*For further information, please visit the following website.
https://www.seisakukikaku.metro.tokyo.lg.jp/invest_tokyo/english/invest-tokyo/fhr.html( External link )