As the Japanese government tightens visa conditions for businesses run by foreigners, foreigners who set up companies, run restaurants, etc. in Japan are leaving Japan at an accelerated pace. According to the “Nihon Keizai Shimbun” report on September 2, in the first half of 2026, a total of 953 foreigners with a “business management” status of residence left Japan without going through re-entry procedures, 3.9 times that of the same period last year. The increasing trend of foreign operators leaving Japan became apparent at the end of last year. Before the fall of 2025, the number of people who left Japan without completing the necessary formalities for re-entry was usually only a few dozen. The number increased to 114 in December of the same year, and has further reached 100 to 200 people per month since this year. The reason behind these changes is that the Japanese government will drastically tighten the status of residence for business management from October 2025. According to the new regulations announced by the Japan Immigration Services Agency, foreigners are required to raise the registered capital of businesses operating in Japan from the original 5 million yen to 30 million yen or more; applicants must also have a master's degree or other in a related field, or have at least 3 years of operating or management experience. At least 1 eligible full-time employee must be employed at the same time.

As the Japanese government tightens visa conditions for businesses run by foreigners, foreigners who set up companies, run restaurants, etc. in Japan are leaving Japan at an accelerated pace. According to the “Nihon Keizai Shimbun” report on September 2, in the first half of 2026, a total of 953 foreigners with a “business management” status of residence left Japan without going through re-entry procedures, 3.9 times that of the same period last year. The increasing trend of foreign operators leaving Japan became apparent at the end of last year. Before the fall of 2025, the number of people who left Japan without completing the necessary formalities for re-entry was usually only a few dozen. The number increased to 114 in December of the same year, and has further reached 100 to 200 people per month since this year. The reason behind these changes is that the Japanese government will drastically tighten the status of residence for business management from October 2025. According to the new regulations announced by the Japan Immigration Services Agency, foreigners are required to raise the registered capital of businesses operating in Japan from the original 5 million yen to 30 million yen or more; applicants must also have a master's degree or other in a related field, or have at least 3 years of operating or management experience. At least 1 eligible full-time employee must be employed at the same time.