What are the key points of a business plan for the 経営・管理 visa, by type of business?
Foreigners Employment Support Organization (FESO) ／ Published ／ Last updated
This article is a translation of the Japanese original. Where the two differ, the Japanese version prevails.
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Answer
What is looked at in screening differs from one type of business to another. For a restaurant it is the shop plan and the strategy for attracting customers; for IT, the advantage of the technology and the needs of the market; for trading, the suppliers and the sales routes; for consulting, specialisation and winning clients; for real estate, the relevant regulations and the financial base. What is common to all of them is 4 points: feasibility, stability and continuity, business scale, and compliance with the law.
What is this enquiry about?
An enquiry from someone who is writing a business plan but does not know which parts to develop in depth for their own type of business.
Subject: the business plan for 在留資格「経営・管理」 (Business Manager)
Situation: an enquiry we often receive about how to write a business plan, from people who are about to start a business in Japan and are aiming to obtain 在留資格「経営・管理」.
A common worry: they have written the plan by following a template, but do not know which parts to develop in depth for their own type of business. They would like to know what decides the outcome of screening.
Background: a business plan is not screened in a uniform way. The feasibility, stability and continuity of the business are checked in the light of the characteristics of its type of business.
What principles of screening are common to every type of business?
There are 4: feasibility, stability and continuity, business scale, and compliance with the law.
Feasibility Whether the plan can actually be carried out, and whether it rests on concrete grounds
Stability and continuity Whether there is a prospect of maintaining and growing the business over the long term, and not only of short-term profit
Business scale Whether the business is on a scale that matches 在留資格「経営・管理」 (amount of investment, planned hiring, sales forecast and so on)
Compliance with the law Whether the business activity complies with the relevant Japanese laws and regulations
What decides the outcome for each type of business?
For a restaurant, the shop plan and attracting customers; for IT, the advantage of the technology; for trading, the trading routes; for consulting, specialisation; for real estate, the regulations and the finances.
1. Restaurants ── a concrete shop plan and a realistic strategy for attracting customers
An idea on its own is not enough. Set out in detail the specific location of the shop, the customers you are aiming at, how the menu is put together, your pricing, an analysis of competing shops, and so on
Your way of attracting customers must also be a realistic plan — use of social media, local marketing, a strategy for repeat customers and the like. Alongside the initial investment, a plan for working capital matters too
The prospect of obtaining permission under the Food Sanitation Act, and your plan for securing staff, are also looked at in screening
2. IT and software development ── distinctive technology or ideas, and a clear market need
Competition in the Japanese IT market is fierce, so you need to show clearly what is distinctive about your technology or ideas, and what gives the software or service you will develop its competitive advantage
Set out concretely the market you are aiming at and the needs of that market, and make clear the model by which you will earn revenue
Your development structure, your plan for securing engineers, and the management of intellectual property rights are also points looked at in screening
3. Trading (import and export) ── steady suppliers and secured sales routes
What goods you will handle, where you will buy them from and where you will sell them: the state of your contracts with suppliers and how concrete your sales routes are both matter
Set out in detail your choice of target market based on market research, your marketing strategy and your logistics plan
Your arrangements for complying with the Customs Act and other trade-related regulations are also looked at in screening
4. Consulting and services ── specialisation and a concrete strategy for winning clients
You need to show concretely the specialisation, the track record and the qualifications behind the consulting or service you will provide
A concrete marketing strategy and sales plan, showing how you will win clients and earn revenue, matter here
Make clear the clients you are aiming at, the details of what your service covers, and your pricing
5. Real estate and property management ── knowledge of the relevant regulations and a financial base
Your business plan must comply with the Real Estate Brokerage Act and other relevant regulations. The prospect of obtaining the licence you need, and your plan for securing people with specialist knowledge, also matter
Set out in detail your plan for acquiring and managing property (your financial plan), your revenue model and your risk management
What other points matter across the board?
There are 4: figures to back the plan up, the management structure and staffing plan, risk analysis, and contribution to the local economy.
Detailed forecasts Show your initial investment, sales forecast, expenses and profit plan in realistic figures
Management structure and staffing plan Your own background and ability as the manager, the number of employees you need, and your plan for recruiting them
Risk analysis and countermeasures Anticipate the risks in running the business, and set out concrete measures against them
Contribution to the local economy Also hold in view what contribution you can make to the Japanese economy and to the local community
Submitting a business plan that is no more than a formality is not enough. Understanding in depth the characteristics of the type of business you are planning, and drawing up a realistic and detailed business plan in the light of them, is the key point in obtaining permission.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I write the business plan the same way whatever the type of business?
No. The feasibility, stability and continuity of the business are checked in the light of the characteristics of its type of business.
What is looked at whatever the type of business?
There are 4 points: feasibility, stability and continuity, business scale, and compliance with the law.
For a restaurant, what decides the outcome of screening?
A concrete shop plan and a realistic strategy for attracting customers. The prospect of obtaining permission and your plan for securing staff are also looked at.
In a type of business that needs a licence or permit, what should I write?
Write the prospect of obtaining the licence or permit you need, together with your plan for securing people with specialist knowledge.
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.
