What should I write in a business plan for 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）
Who this article is forAn enquiry from someone who wants to start a business in Japan but does not know what to write in a business plan, or how far to go.
Answer
In a business plan, the key is to show 4 things, each with objective grounds: the aim and outline of the business, its feasibility, concrete numerical targets and the grounds for them, and its stability and continuity. Show your revenue forecast month by month for at least 1 year, and if possible for about 3 years. Please aim to write plainly and logically, so that the examiner reading it can follow you.
What is this enquiry about?
An enquiry from someone who wants to start a business in Japan but does not know what to write in a business plan, or how far to go.
- Subject: the business plan for 在留資格「経営・管理」 (Business Manager)
- Situation: an enquiry from someone aiming to obtain 在留資格「経営・管理」 in order to start a new business in Japan.
- A common worry: they have heard that the business plan matters, but do not know which headings to cover, or how concrete to be.
- Background: a business plan is a compass showing that the business plan can be carried out and that it is stable, and it is also an important part of what the decision in screening rests on.
How do I write the aim and outline of the business?
Set out clearly at the start what you will do, why Japan, and where you are heading.
- What the business does, concretely Explain concretely what goods or services you will provide, which customers you are aiming at, and what your business model is
- Why you are entering the Japanese market Explain logically why you are doing this business in Japan, what needs you consider there to be in the Japanese market, and what strengths you can bring to bear
- Your long-term vision By showing not only your short-term goals but also how you aim to develop the business in future, you convey that it can be sustained
How do I show that the plan can be carried out?
Write market analysis, a concrete strategy and an implementation structure, as grounds rather than as ideas.
- Market analysis Analyse the size of the market you are aiming at, its growth and the state of the competition, on the basis of objective data, and show that the business can succeed
- A concrete strategy Set out your marketing strategy, sales strategy, pricing strategy and so on, showing how you will win customers and how you will earn revenue
- Implementation structure Make clear who will carry out the business, when and how, together with your organisational structure, your staffing plan and your timeline
How far should I go with numerical targets?
Show your revenue forecast month by month for at least 1 year, and if possible for about 3 years, together with the grounds for it.
- Revenue forecast It is desirable to show a revenue forecast month by month for at least 1 year, and if possible a forecast covering about 3 years. Explain as well the market data and the sales plan on which that forecast rests
- Cost plan Set out in detail the costs the business needs — initial investment, staff costs, rent, advertising and publicity and so on — and explain why those amounts are reasonable
- Funding plan Show concretely how you will raise the funds you need: your own funds, loans, investment and so on. Where the funds are your own, you also need to make clear where they came from and what documents prove it
How do I back up stability and continuity?
Show them through 3 things: your cash-flow plan, the risks and the measures against them, and your attitude to complying with the law.
在留資格「経営・管理」 assumes that you are found able to carry on stable business activity on a continuing basis.
- Sound finances Showing your cash-flow plan after the initial investment conveys that the business is stable
- Risks and measures Anticipating the risks in running the business and showing concrete measures against them backs up the continuity of the business
- Compliance with the law Showing your attitude to complying with Japanese laws and regulations also matters
Is there anything to watch for in how I write it?
The first thing is that the examiner reading it can follow you, which calls for a clear structure, objective data and plain words.
- A clear structure The structure should be logical, with each heading set out in a way that is easy to follow
- Objective data Write on the basis of objective grounds such as market research data and statistics, and not only on your own opinion
- Avoiding technical terms Write in plain words that anyone can understand, without heavy use of technical terms
- Accurate Japanese Take care that there are no typing errors, omissions or grammatical mistakes, and if need be have someone whose mother tongue is Japanese check it
The criteria for permission may change. Please check the latest information on the official website of the 出入国在留管理庁 (Immigration Services Agency of Japan) and elsewhere.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many years should the revenue forecast cover?
It is desirable to show a forecast month by month for at least 1 year, and if possible a forecast covering about 3 years.
If I am starting with my own funds, what should I show?
In your funding plan, you need to make clear where your own funds came from and what documents prove it.
Does writing the business plan in technical language help?
No. What is asked for is that you write logically, in plain words that anyone can understand, without heavy use of technical terms.
How do I show that the business will continue?
Back it up by showing your cash-flow plan after the initial investment, together with concrete measures against the risks you anticipate.
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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. Because it is a translation, the meaning may differ from the original in places. Where something affects a decision you are making, please check the Japanese version or ask us. The supervision by a 行政書士 is of the Japanese version.
