When foreigners start a business in Japan, they need to obtain a residence status called “Business Management.” To acquire this residence status, they must fulfill certain requirements, such as establishing an office before entry and either employing at least two full-time employees or making an investment of at least 5 million yen within the country. As a result, starting a business in Japan as a foreigner without a domestic partner can be extremely challenging.

However, under the special district system in Tokyo, there is an exception where the Tokyo Metropolitan Government reviews the business plan before the examination by the Immigration Bureau upon entry. This allows foreign entrepreneurs to be granted a special 6-month “Business Management” residence status. With this opportunity, foreign entrepreneurs planning to start a business can make preparations during the six-month period after entry.