The Foreign Entrepreneurship Promotion Project is an effort by regional and local governments (“Foreign Entrepreneurship Promotion Organizations”), with management support plans certified by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. The project is intendedto expand acceptance into Japanese society of foreign entrepreneurs and to promote enterprise. Osaka City was certified on March27, 2019, and became a Foreign Entrepreneurship Promotion Organization.
Normally, if a foreigner wants to open their own business in Japan, in order to acquire certification for the “Business Manager”residence status, they need to meet various criteria when applying to the Immigration Services Agency (ISA). These criteria include thingslike opening up an office, employing at least two full-time employees, having an amount of capital or total investment of at least 5 million yen, and so on.
The present project allows these entrepreneurs to go to the Foreign Entrepreneurship Promotion & Support Desk, receive assistance in producing a business startup plan, which they then submit to city hall. If the city determines that within one year the entrepreneur will be able to meet the criteria for the Business Manager visa, a confirmation certificate is issued. By submitting this certificateand the other necessary documents to the ISA and undergoing an examination, the entrepreneur can be issued with the “Designated Activities”status for a maximum of one year (renewal required after six months).