How Chinese Nationals Can Establish a Company in Japan and Obtain a Business Manager Visa [Licensed Immigration Specialist]
A licensed immigration specialist explains the steps for Chinese nationals to establish a company in Japan and obtain a Business Manager Visa — including how to use the 4-month visa, how to remit funds from China, how to prove the source of capital, and the specific review points examiners focus on.
For Chinese nationals, the basic sequence for establishing a company in Japan and obtaining a Business Manager Visa is: "establish the company → apply for the Business Manager Visa." However, applicants based in China face specific challenges — including difficulty opening a bank account in Japan, remitting capital, and entering into a lease contract for an office. This article organizes the practical process from preparation through application.
Fundamental Premise: No Differences in the Legal Requirements Based on Nationality
The legal requirements for the Business Manager Visa do not vary by nationality. Chinese nationals must satisfy the same requirements as people of other nationalities — capital of 30 million yen, at least one full-time employee, securing a business office, and meeting the background / education and Japanese language proficiency requirements.
However, in practice, Chinese applicants face the following specific challenges:
- When residing in China, it is difficult to open a bank account in Japan, making it hard to secure an account to receive capital transfers
- Remitting funds from China to Japan is subject to China's foreign exchange control regulations, and proof of the source of funds is required
- Documentation proving the transparency and legality of how funds were obtained is particularly scrutinized during the review
Application Patterns: Three Routes
Pattern ①: Already Residing in Japan
If the applicant is already in Japan on a Gijinkoku visa, student visa, spouse visa, or another valid status of residence, the application is filed as an Application to Change Status of Residence. Because they already have a registered address in Japan, preparations for establishing the company — such as opening a bank account and signing an office lease — can proceed relatively smoothly.
Pattern ②: Residing in China With a Cooperating Person in Japan
If the applicant has a trustworthy cooperating person in Japan — such as a Japanese national, permanent resident, or special permanent resident — company establishment procedures can be advanced through that person. It is common to use the cooperating person's bank account as the account for receiving the capital transfer.
After the company is established, an application for a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) is filed from China. Once the COE is obtained, the applicant applies for a visa at the Japanese embassy or consulate in China and enters Japan.
Pattern ③: Residing in China Without a Cooperating Person in Japan (Using the 4-Month Visa)
Even without a cooperating person, it is possible to use the "4-month Business Manager Visa (business preparation activities)" to come to Japan and then prepare for company establishment after arrival.
Company Establishment Process
The main steps for establishing a kabushiki kaisha (joint-stock corporation) in Japan are as follows:
① Decide on the Basic Corporate Details
- Company name (shogo)
- Business purpose (the industry and business activities to be stated in the articles of incorporation)
- Principal office location (office address)
- Capital amount (30 million yen or more)
- Directorship structure (representative director, etc.)
② Draft and Notarize the Articles of Incorporation
Draft the articles of incorporation (teikan) and have them notarized by a notary public. Notarization at a notary office is required for kabushiki kaisha (not required for godo kaisha / limited liability companies).
③ Pay In the Capital
Pay the capital into the incorporator's (settsusha) bank account. When residing in China, the common approach is to transfer funds to a cooperating person's account before coming to Japan. When using the 4-month visa, funds are paid in to an account held in the applicant's own name after arriving in Japan.
④ Apply for Registration
File the application for establishment registration at the Legal Affairs Bureau (Homukyoku). As of October 16, 2025, the registration tax (tōroku menkyozei) is 210,000 yen for both kabushiki kaisha and godo kaisha.
⑤ File Various Notifications
After the company is established, file required notifications with the tax office (zeimusho), prefectural and municipal governments, pension office, Hello Work, and other relevant agencies.
Remitting Funds From China and Proving the Source of Capital
Following the October 2025 amendment, proving the source and legality of the 30 million yen in capital has become a particularly important review point.
What Is Verified During the Review
- Whether the capital is 30 million yen or more (verified via the certificate of registered matters)
- Whether the source of the funds is legitimate
- Whether the capital includes borrowed funds or loans from third parties (funds must not carry an obligation to repay)
- How the funds were remitted to Japan
Examples of Documents Needed for Remitting Funds From China
- Chinese bank balance certificate and account transaction history
- Remittance records (e.g., SWIFT transfer records)
- Documents explaining the source of the funds (pay stubs, proof of real estate sale, proof of business income, etc.)
- Where necessary, a notarial deed (kōshōsho) issued by a Chinese notary office (gongzhengchu), with Japanese translation
Specific Review Points Chinese Applicants Should Be Particularly Aware Of
Transparency of Funds
If the source of the capital is unclear, the review will raise strong doubts. Carefully preparing documentation that proves the applicant's income and assets in China is essential.
Substance of the Office
Virtual offices and address-only services are not accepted. It is necessary to demonstrate through photos, contracts, and equipment that actual business activities are taking place.
The lease contract must include the following elements:
- Purpose of use is stated as business / commercial
- The contract is in the company's (corporate) name
- The contract term is generally 1 year or more
Connection Between the Operator's Background and the Business
Explaining how management experience and industry experience in China relates to the business being applied for is important. Chinese employment certificates, business registration certificates (yingyezhizhao / 营业执照), and tax filing documents are also useful supporting materials.
Addressing the Japanese Language Proficiency Requirement
If the applicant does not personally possess the required Japanese language proficiency (JLPT N2 or above, etc.), the full-time employee being hired must meet the requirement. If the Japanese national or permanent resident being hired as a full-time employee has Japanese language proficiency, the applicant's own proficiency is not questioned.
Overall Process Summary (Using the 4-Month Visa)
| Step | Content | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Develop the business plan; obtain expert confirmation (certified SME consultant, etc.) | China |
| 2 | Apply for and obtain the 4-month Business Manager Visa | China (Japanese embassy) |
| 3 | Arrive in Japan; register address; open a bank account | Japan |
| 4 | Sign the office lease (business-purpose lease in the company's name) | Japan |
| 5 | Pay in capital (to an account in the applicant's own name) | Japan |
| 6 | File for company establishment registration (Legal Affairs Bureau) | Japan |
| 7 | Hire a full-time employee; complete social insurance enrollment procedures | Japan |
| 8 | Obtain required permits and licenses (if applicable — e.g., restaurant business) | Japan |
| 9 | Apply to change to Business Manager Visa (1 year or more) | Japan (immigration office) |
| 10 | Review (1–3 months); approval; receive residence card | Japan |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Can I have someone handle the company establishment in Japan on my behalf while I am still in China?
A. Yes, this is possible. You can engage a cooperating person in Japan or a licensed specialist such as a gyoseishoshi or shiho shoshi to advance the company establishment process while you remain in China. However, many documents must be prepared, including securing an account to receive the capital transfer, preparing notarial documents, and providing an alternative to a personal seal certificate (a notarial deed issued by a Chinese notary office, in place of a Japanese certificate of personal seal registration).
Q. My spouse and I want to operate the business together. Can we both obtain a Business Manager Visa?
A. When multiple foreign nationals co-operate a business, each applicant must demonstrate that they are actually engaged in activities corresponding to the Business Manager Visa — either management or administrative duties. Clearly defining the division of responsibilities and being able to explain that each person is substantively involved in running the business is key.
Q. I want to open a restaurant. Should I obtain the food service permit before or after getting the visa?
A. A food service business permit under the Food Sanitation Act is applied for after the specific premises are confirmed — so it is obtained after arriving in Japan and securing the office (restaurant space). If the permit has not yet been obtained at the time of the Business Manager Visa application, it is acceptable to provide an explanation in a letter of explanation and submit the permit documentation at the next renewal application.
Summary
For Chinese nationals to obtain a Business Manager Visa in Japan, all requirements must be satisfied: preparing capital of 30 million yen, proving the source of funds, securing a genuine business office, hiring a full-time employee, and obtaining expert confirmation of the business plan.
For applicants residing in China, using the 4-month visa to come to Japan and then advancing preparations after arrival is one realistic route. Since preparation takes time, it is important to start planning at an early stage.
After company establishment, labor insurance and social insurance enrollment procedures, payroll calculation, and the preparation of work rules will all be required as well. Arch Immigration Law Office has a Chinese-speaking social insurance labor consultant on staff, making it possible to provide seamless one-stop support in Chinese from the visa application through post-establishment employment management. Please feel free to consult with us — no need to worry about the language barrier.
This article is based on official information from the Immigration Services Agency of Japan and practical experience. Review standards vary depending on individual circumstances. Always verify the latest information on the Immigration Services Agency's official website.
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