A subsidiary in Japan while I live abroad. Do I need the 「経営・管理」 visa?

This article is a translation of the Japanese original. Where the two differ, the Japanese version prevails. Read the Japanese original（日本語版を読む）

What is this enquiry about?

An enquiry from a person who wants to serve as the representative of a Japanese company while living abroad, and to post staff there under 企業内転勤.

Does the representative director have to live in Japan?

Under Japanese company law, it is not essential for the representative director of a joint-stock company to have an address in Japan.

Under Japanese company law, it is not essential for the representative director of a joint-stock company to have an address in Japan. You can therefore be registered as the representative director of a Japanese company while you remain living abroad.

Also, if you have no plans to live in Japan, the 「経営・管理」 status of residence is not immediately essential for you personally.

Do I need someone in Japan who holds the 「経営・管理」 visa?

It is not necessarily an obligation, but we strongly recommend that you appoint a manager or administrator who holds a status of residence in Japan.

Even where you do not live in Japan and do not obtain 「経営・管理」 yourself, there is a strong possibility that a manager or administrator holding a status of residence in Japan will be needed in order to run the Japanese subsidiary lawfully. This is because the management and administration structure of a foreign company carrying on business activities in Japan is required to be appropriate. Specifically, either of the following approaches may be considered.

1. Appoint a representative director or director who lives in Japan, and have that person obtain 「経営・管理」　This is the approach of appointing a representative director or director resident in Japan so that running the business in Japan, concluding contracts, dealing with administrative bodies and so on go smoothly
2. Employ a member of staff in Japan who holds 「経営・管理」　This is the approach in which the representative director remains resident abroad and you employ a member of staff who holds the 「経営・管理」 status of residence and who takes charge of running the business in Japan

Under either approach, that person needs to meet the criteria for permission for 「経営・管理」, including having substantial experience relating to the management or administration of a business. Note that under the amendment that came into force on 16 October 2025 (令和7年10月16日), the criteria for permission have been reviewed: the capital or total contribution is stated to be at least 30 million yen (3,000万円), among other things. When you consider the structure on the Japanese side, please check against the amended criteria.

Can I post staff to Japan under 企業内転勤?

You can, if 4 requirements are met, such as the period of employment at the parent company and the continuity of the work.

Where staff of the parent company are posted to Japan under 「企業内転勤」, those members of staff need to meet the following requirements.

• That immediately before the transfer they were continuously employed at the overseas parent company for at least 1 year
• That the work they will do in Japan has continuity with their work at the parent company
• That their position in Japan is at least equivalent to their position at the business office in their home country
• That their remuneration in Japan is at least equal to that of a Japanese national

However, staff holding 「企業内転勤」 are, as a rule, not expected to take on the role of a company manager. A person to take charge of running the business in Japan has to be secured separately under 「経営・管理」.

We strongly recommend that you first make your specific business plan and organisational structure in Japan clear, and then consult a specialist (a judicial scrivener, a certified administrative procedures legal specialist (gyoseishoshi) or the like) as to which approach suits you best.

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Articles

• Can I start another business while holding the 経営・管理 visa?
• Can I bring my family to Japan on the 経営・管理 visa?
• Can I obtain the 「経営・管理」 visa with premises that double as my home?
• If I run 2 companies, does each need capital of 30 million yen (3,000万円)?

This article provides general information. Immigration rules change, and outcomes depend on individual circumstances. Please check the Immigration Services Agency website or consult a qualified specialist.
This page is a translation of the Japanese original. Where the two differ, the Japanese version prevails.