I dont really know how to title this but anyway.
Im thinking I might move to Japan with my fiancé, which I know is the typical route you see on here. The reason though is after my last trip there with my fiancé, she had decided that maybe she would want to go back to school in Nagoya. I studied there back in 23 and finished both my degree and an internship with the Meitetsu company and loved every minute. She can apply and get a student visa relatively easily so im not worried for her. I have since returned with frequent visits to my family there, but I am not eligible for a visa with that.
What I want to do is start a business there thats in the automotive industry catered to the US export market. I grew up in the Us rustbelt so I know how the cars can get, and traveling over the salty blue for months can wreak havoc on those cars. I have a great understanding of mechanics, I currently work as a body tech here in the States and am thinking if I can bring that into Japan for people wanting to import cars, there may be something there for me. I would like to assist my family’s local dealer into more of a Japanese car business as every one we have gotten has sold within a day or two. Not just the trucks, the cars, suv, etc, people eat them up. We have to do a lot of repair in terms of paint and rust repair, and im fairly confident if I can buy the vehicles in Japan, repair any signs of corrosion then properly coat and protect the vehicle from damage, that would not only cut costs but also the time it takes to get a vehicle. Customers ask us for importing help as they cant read condition sheets and or know how to ask for pics on spots they are unsure about. If I set up a repair place in Japan that is linked directly to our shop I think there is enough market to justify. Ive only been saving for about 6-7 months, I have about 28k set aside for business, 15k in savings and I want to be about 35-40k set aside and maybe 20k in my saving by the time I leave. I dont think I can do the startup visa and im not sure how to get my foot in the door. I understood it all when I went for school but now im somehow lost. I see they all require a coe but I dont know how that would be if I am starting a business there, do I have to go under a startup visa then switch to the special skill? It will take more than 6 months to be fully up and running, and I would receive commission from our dealer on cars sold as well as full payment for any inspections of cars people want to import. And any body work that will get done. I would show pictures of my bodywork to show proficiency but I know thats not allowed here. Anyone able to help on what I need to do to get the ball rolling and start applying? Chicago consulate is about 2 hours away and dont want to make a bunch of back and forth visits, the phone calls I have with them are always just look on the site.
Thanks for those that read through this and have some imput. I appreciate your time.
by Paradise_9703