A direct message to pioneer the future of Kyoto. Courage to elevate startup support from "form" to "substance.

With the Kyoto gubernatorial election coming up in the spring,Major reorganization of the "Support System for Foreign Entrepreneurial Activities" for sustainable development of KyotoI would like to make a strong appeal for

Currently, many foreign entrepreneurs are attracted to Kyoto, but are confronted with complex visa systems and administrative barriers. Breaking through this current situation is not a matter of simply establishing a window,It is essential to establish a system that is well versed in practical business practices.It is.

Specifically,An alumnus (with practical experience) who is an expert in foreign entrepreneur visas and who is familiar with Kyoto Prefecture's administrative practices should be appointed.The "front" of the system and the "reality" of the frontline are the two sides of the coin. With specialists at the helm who understand both the "construction" of the system and the "reality" of the field,An entrepreneurial environment with blood, not formal supportshould be in place.

With the implementation of the amendment on October 16, 2025, the situation regarding the business management visa has undergone a dramatic transition.Dramatic decrease in the number of users of the "Start-up Visa" (a program to promote entrepreneurial activities by foreign nationals)This has had the effect of

The number of new consultations and users has been visibly declining since the enactment of the program. Especially for small entrepreneurs who were trying to take on the challenge with their own funds at the individual level,The 30 million yen hurdle is effectively a "pay at the gate" situation..

Loss of exit strategy: When switching to "business administration" after the start-up visa period, local governments are also less likely to provide a recommendation if the applicant is not expected to meet the new criteria (30 million yen and full-time employment).

Polarization: While "real start-ups" that can expect to raise large amounts of capital from VCs and other sources will continue to use this route, the previously mainstream segment of "small real businesses (restaurants, trading)" is dropping out of this route as well.

Nowadays, the reality of "supporting foreign entrepreneurs" by JETRO Kyoto and Kyoto Overseas Business Center is far from "support".

The October 2025 revision brought "despair".

Now that the Business Management Visa requirement has jumped to "capital of 30 million yen and employment of one full-time employee," the role of the Start-up Visa (specified activities) should be a "ramp" to overcome this hurdle.

We are forced to take the stance, "If we don't have evidence that you can provide 30 million yen in two years, we cannot give you a recommendation.

What part of this is "start-up support"?

From the start, only the wealthy with tens of millions of yen and the elite who receive investment from VC firms are "screened out," and individual challengers who love Kyoto and want to work hard here are turned away.