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）
You can enter Japan on a 短期滞在 visa in order to carry out the procedures for setting up a company. If after incorporation you repeat stays of about 1 week, obtaining a 短期滞在 visa each time is said to be very likely to be acceptable, but frequent entries and departures also carry the risk that the 地方出入国在留管理局 (Regional Immigration Services Bureau) will have doubts.
An enquirer who wants to stay resident in Indonesia, set up a company in Japan, and leave its running to a Japanese president.
Yes. The procedures for setting up a company count as business activity.
You can enter Japan on a 短期滞在 visa in order to carry out the procedures for setting up a company. The 短期滞在 visa is granted where the purpose is a short-term activity without remuneration, such as sightseeing, visiting relatives or business. The procedures for setting up a company (opening a bank account, signing an office lease, meeting the people involved and so on) count as business activity, so there is no problem. In this case it is important, when applying for the visa, to explain clearly the outline of the company to be set up, the purpose of the visit, the schedule of the stay, and who will bear the cost of the stay.
Obtaining a 短期滞在 visa each time is said to be very likely to be acceptable, but there are points to watch.
It is the status for taking part in management, but it assumes that the manager is based in Japan, and capital of 3,000万円 or more is required.
Where you set up a company in Japan and take part in its management, the most appropriate status of residence is said to be 在留資格「経営・管理」 (Business Manager). It lets you act freely as a manager in Japan for remuneration, and because a longer stay is permitted you no longer have to apply each time. You can also join the social insurance systems, such as health insurance and pension. However, the 「経営・管理」 visa assumes that the manager is based in Japan, so if you plan to put a Japanese president in place, it may be difficult for you yourself to obtain it.
Please also note the capital requirement. Under the amendment that came into force on 16 October 2025 (令和7年10月16日), the amount of capital has to be 30 million yen (3,000万円) or more. It used to be 5 million yen (500万円) or more, so please take care not to decide the scale of your company on the basis of old information.
For the time being, treating each visit as a matter for a 短期滞在 visa is considered a reasonable understanding. To avoid raising doubts at the 地方出入国在留管理局, however, it is important to be ready to explain the purpose of each visit clearly, and to answer questions at the immigration inspection honestly and clearly. If you later decide that you want to be deeply involved in the business in Japan, you are advised to consider obtaining the 「経営・管理」 visa at that point.
Yes. The procedures for setting up a company count as business activity, so entry on a 短期滞在 visa is said to be possible.
Obtaining a 短期滞在 visa each time is said to be very likely to be acceptable, but frequent entries and departures carry the risk that the 地方出入国在留管理局 will have doubts, so care is needed.
It assumes that the manager is based in Japan, so if you put a Japanese president in place and are not based here yourself, it can be difficult to obtain.
Under the amendment that came into force on 16 October 2025 (令和7年10月16日), 3,000万円 or more is required. It used to be 500万円 or more, so please be careful with old information.
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This page is a translation of the Japanese original. Where the two differ, the Japanese version prevails.