I'm currently on a 6-month Strategic Zone Startup Visa with about 4 months left. Two weeks after I arrived in Japan, they announced new Business Manager Visa requirements (¥30M capital + 1 employee instead of ¥5M).
The government said they'd release official rules "beginning of October" but it's now October 8th and there's been complete silence. No publication, no announcement, no clarification on whether people transitioning from Startup Visas, J-find, will be exempt.
I'm avoiding incorporating my company because I don't know which rules will apply when I transition. If I spend ¥200,000-400,000+ on incorporation and they reject me under the new ¥30M requirement, that money is gone.
Keidanren and JVCA have both lobbied against the changes, specifically asking for exemptions for Startup Visa holders.
But still – nothing. Just silence.
What do you guys think about this?
by Seige____