Useful Columns

Dear Municipal Officials, Thank you so much for your daily work in supporting startups. It is not the documents that you are stamping. It is the view of this city 10 years from now. Last October, the environment surrounding foreign entrepreneurs changed drastically. The examination requirements for the "Management/Administration" visa were substantially tightened...

The first major hurdle for foreign entrepreneurs starting a business in Japan is to obtain a "business administration visa. However, it is not enough to simply prepare the necessary documents. The Immigration Bureau's screening process is becoming stricter and stricter every year, and the continuity and stability of the business is strictly required. Therefore, a full-fledged application...

If you are thinking, "Now that I have been certified by the local government, I can rest assured that I am in good hands," then please drop that thought right now. In my 35 years at the Kyoto Prefectural Government, I have seen the system created and then broken down on the ground. The start-up visa is now the same as the former technical internship...

After establishing a company in Japan and getting your business off the ground, the next question you may be wondering is, "Can I live in Japan with my family or significant other? The status of residence "Management/Administration" is the foundation for business operations, and "Family Residency" is utilized when bringing your family over....

Many foreign nationals working in Japan are aiming for a "five-year" period of stay. After that, they are looking forward to "applying for permanent residence". However, in the midst of their daily work, many people inadvertently forget their obligations under the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act, or feel insecure about renewal depending on their employment status....

If you are a North American who loves Japanese culture and Kyoto, why don't you come live in the old streets of Kyoto, learn skills from Japanese craftsmen, and create the future of your favorite city with your own hands? If you are a North American who loves Japanese culture and Kyoto, why don't you live in the old streets of Kyoto, learn skills from Japanese craftsmen, and build the future of your favorite city with your own hands?  Kyomachiya Co-Creation International Project https://matsutani-gyosei.com/alex_visa/en/passing-d...

It is no exaggeration to say that for foreign business owners who have decided to start a business in Japan and are applying for a business management visa, the choice of an administrative scrivener as a partner can mean the difference between the fate of their business and that of their foreign business. Unfortunately, however, there are many cases where the process does not go smoothly, or where the explanation is inadequate and the applicant feels uneasy...

Introduction: In Silence and Shadows Gion Shinbashi, Kyoto. My starting point as a photographer is in the "shadows" of this town. The machiya houses that I see through the viewfinder of the mirrorless single-lens reflex camera that has become familiar to my hand are more than just old wooden structures. It is a house that has been built over 1,200 years, adapted to the harsh climate and social changes...

When you walk through the streets of Kyoto, you suddenly see beautiful lattice doors and narrow alleys leading to the back of the house. These scenes, which we take for granted, are gradually being lost. This is a project to give shape to this desire with young people not only in Japan but also around the world.

For foreign entrepreneurs trying to start a new business in Japan, "administrative procedures" and "language and cultural barriers" are two of the most difficult obstacles to overcome. However, what is truly required at many support sites is more than just document representation. We are here to help entrepreneurs with their business...

In recent years, an increasing number of companies are hiring foreign nationals as regular or contract employees. However, when hiring foreign employees, it is important not to forget about "visa (status of residence) renewal. If the employee does not renew his/her status of residence before it expires, he/she will be in Japan illegally, and the company will be...

Audio Commentary Dear Registered Support Organization, Under the revised Gyoseishoshi Law that will take effect on January 1, 2026, it will be clearly illegal to prepare documents for application for status of residence for specified skills for remuneration, no matter what the name of the act may be. ⚠️ Risk: If the cost of document preparation is included in the support outsourcing fee, etc., the illegal act...

As of November 2025, the Immigration Bureau is in the midst of a full-scale transition to IC cards for residence cards, and it has finally become clear that the transition will be complete by the end of 2026. The plastic card will be replaced by a new residence card with an IC chip equivalent to a My Number card. ...

The revised Administrative Scrivener Law will come into effect on January 1, 2026 (January 1, 2026). 1. point of revision: Requests to unqualified persons will be "not permitted under any name! Gyoseishoshi Scriveners are required to submit documents to government offices (e.g., applications for permission to open a restaurant, applications for status of residence for foreign residents, inheritance-related...

1. can i work even if my "period of stay" is still valid? Many foreign students and employers mistakenly believe that they can work until the expiration date of their residence card. The fact is: From the day you graduate from school (or are expelled from school), the "Permission to Engage in Activity other than that Permitted under the Status of Residence" associated with the "College Student" visa takes effect...

In the midst of a labor shortage due to the declining birthrate and aging population, foreign students are a valuable asset to the workforce. However, when hiring them, it is necessary to properly understand the rules specific to the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act (Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act), which are not applicable to Japanese part-time workers. In particular, the "28-hour-per-week limit" is lenient...

Important: Effective October 16, 2025, the requirements for the "Management and Administration" visa have been significantly tightened. The conventional wisdom of "investment of 5 million yen" or "one-person start-up" no longer applies. October 16, 2025 will be a historic turning point for foreigners who wish to start a business in Japan...

We have received very important and urgent news for all of you in the food service industry. The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) and the Immigration and Residency Management Agency have announced the suspension of acceptance of Specified Technical Skills 1 in the food service industry. For businesses that have been planning to hire, this is an extremely important...

⏳ 1. Introduction: Why is my visa application so slow? Many people spend anxious days wondering when they will be granted a visa (status of residence) after applying for one. The examination period at the Immigration Bureau (Immigration Bureau) is usually from one to three months, but some applicants may wait as long as six months...

When renewing "Spouse or Child of Japanese National" status (Spouse Visa), the screening process tends to become stricter year by year, and particular attention should be paid to the following points. 1. stability and continuity of marital life Continuity of cohabitation: In principle, it is most important that the couple lives together and is substantially married....