Online retail founders
Own-brand shops, Japanese marketplaces and Japan-based trading businesses.
Japan Business Manager Visa for E-Commerce Businesses
Japan Business Manager Visa for E-Commerce & Online Business Owners
Want to run an Amazon, Shopify, Rakuten, online retail or cross-border trading business from Japan? An online-only sales channel does not automatically prevent a Business Manager (経営・管理) residence application. However, a website or marketplace account alone is not enough. Japan examines your genuine management activities, real business premises, capital, qualifying employee, Japanese-language arrangements and business viability. We help overseas founders and existing foreign business owners prepare the immigration evidence for an e-commerce operation.
Business Manager COE or Change of Status · Professional feeFrom ¥165,000Tax included · Immigration application support
Standard extension without major business changesFrom ¥66,000Tax included · Case-specific quotation
Cross-border sellers
Import products for Japanese customers or export Japanese products overseas.
Existing EC operators
Document real operations, sales, staffing and business compliance for renewal.
Can a Foreigner Get a Business Manager Visa for an Online Store?
Potentially, yes. Japan's Business Manager status covers genuine operation or management of a business in Japan, including a qualifying internet-based business. It does not require every company to operate a customer-facing physical shop. The crucial question is whether a real enterprise exists in Japan and the applicant actually directs that enterprise under the applicable immigration criteria.
Japan-based online brand
An owner directs product development, purchasing, employees, promotion, sales strategy and finances through a Japanese company.
Import / export e-commerce
A company procures goods abroad or in Japan, sells through online channels, manages suppliers and assumes genuine commercial responsibilities.
Online marketplace company
A business sells through Amazon Japan, Rakuten or similar services while keeping verifiable Japanese management and operating arrangements.
Not every online income activity qualifies. Passive ownership of a website, selling a few items, earning advertising or affiliate commissions, or personally completing occasional freelance tasks does not establish the Business Manager status. The actual organization and management activities must be assessed, not merely the platform's name.
Business Manager Visa Requirements for New E-Commerce Companies
Japan revised the Business Manager immigration criteria effective October 16, 2025. For a typical new application, the following requirements must be considered together. Old guides referring only to ¥5 million capital or two employees do not describe the ordinary current new-application rules.
| Requirement | What an e-commerce founder needs to consider |
|---|---|
| Business scale | For a company, generally at least ¥30 million in qualifying paid-in capital or total contributions. The amount is not the website budget, expected turnover or a personal bank balance. |
| Qualifying full-time employee | Generally one or more full-time employees in the specified eligible categories (including Japanese nationals, Special Permanent Residents, and relevant residence statuses in Appended Table II). A normal work-visa employee does not automatically meet this headcount rule. |
| Japanese-language ability | The founder or a qualifying full-time employee for this language test must demonstrate Japanese at approximately CEFR B2 level, through an officially accepted form of proof such as JLPT N2 or another accepted basis. |
| Applicant background | A related master's-level or higher degree / professional degree, or generally at least three years of qualifying business-management experience. |
| Real business office | An appropriate, genuine business premises in Japan. Virtual-only addresses and residential-only arrangements require particular caution and are not a substitute for an acceptable establishment. |
| Business plan | A concrete, credible plan showing commercial feasibility; where required, an appropriate independent qualified professional must assess the plan. |
| Applicable permits and compliance | Product-specific licenses, consumer-sales rules, tax and insurance obligations, employment compliance and evidence of real business activity. |
Important distinction: The nationality and residence-status categories counted for the mandatory employee headcount are not identical to the categories that may fulfill the Japanese-language requirement. Both must be checked separately. Transitional or special cases may be treated differently.
Do Amazon, Shopify and Dropshipping Businesses Need an Office in Japan?
An e-commerce company may operate without a public retail storefront. That does not eliminate the Business Manager requirement for a real Japanese business establishment. The applicant should be able to demonstrate where management takes place, what space is available, the legal right to use it, and how the business is actually operated.
| Arrangement | Immigration issue |
|---|---|
| Dedicated business office | Evidence of appropriate exclusive/continuous business use, lease or ownership, real operations and reasonable equipment can support the case. |
| Home address / home office | Under the revised operating approach, using a residence as the business office is generally not accepted for ordinary Business Manager applications. Check feasibility before signing. |
| Virtual office / mailbox | A registered address, post-handling service or virtual-office contract alone usually cannot prove a real operating premises. |
| Shared office or coworking | Individual arrangements must be assessed for dedicated business premises, actual usable facilities, contract terms and continuing operational reality. |
| Third-party fulfillment warehouse | Amazon FBA or an external logistics warehouse can handle inventory and shipping, but does not automatically replace the company's actual management office. |
| Online business run entirely from overseas | Having Japanese customers or a Japanese marketplace account does not itself prove the applicant needs to reside in Japan to manage a genuine Japan-based enterprise. |
Before renting or incorporating: confirm that the premises are suitable for the actual online business and the applicable immigration standard. An address usable for company registration is not necessarily sufficient for a Business Manager residence application.
How Does the ¥30 Million Rule Apply to an Online Business?
For an incorporated business, the revised standard generally looks to the company's qualifying paid-in capital or contributions. It is not satisfied merely because the founder expects ¥30 million in sales, holds inventory worth that amount, or has a credit facility. For a sole proprietor, the applicable rules instead examine qualifying sums actually invested in the operation, including specified premises, employee and equipment expenditure.
Capital evidence
Corporate registration, contribution records, bank transfers and documents explaining the origin and allocation of business funding.
Qualifying employee
Employment contract, actual full-time work, salary evidence and citizenship/residence-status information under the specified statutory test.
Management credentials
Relevant degree or documented management career, plus evidence satisfying the separate Japanese-language rule.
A one-person online side business, even when technically successful, may not meet the ordinary new Business Manager criteria. We can assess whether the facts support this residence route or whether a different lawful arrangement needs consideration.
What Proves Your E-Commerce Company Is a Real Business?
Online activity can be verified, but screenshots of a storefront alone are weak evidence. A credible immigration submission connects the Japanese company, the founder's management role, financial records, customer and supplier transactions, and future plans.
Stores and channels: business-controlled Shopify store, Amazon/Rakuten seller accounts or other sales channels.
Sales evidence: order records, settlement statements, payment processor reports and invoices.
Suppliers: purchase agreements, procurement records, import and export arrangements where relevant.
Fulfillment: inventory control, warehouse or third-party logistics contracts, delivery and returns handling.
Japan operations: office lease, staffing, roles, equipment, company accounts and actual management decisions.
Financial feasibility: product margin, advertising costs, inventory cash cycle, customer acquisition and cash flow.
Compliance: product licenses or notifications, consumer disclosures and applicable tax/employment duties.
Applicant's decisions: evidence of purchasing strategy, hiring, pricing, contracts and business direction.
If a store has not launched, the applicant may need stronger evidence of funded preparation, supplier relationships, staff, systems, planned customer demand and business feasibility. Proposed future sales are not the same as realized turnover.
Does an Online Shop Need a Special License in Japan?
There is no single general "e-commerce business license" covering all online stores. The answer depends on the goods sold, the way they are sourced, and the actual sale/import arrangements. Some ordinary retail products can be sold without a separate product-specific business license, while regulated products can require permissions, notifications or specialist handling.
| Type of online business | Regulatory issues to check |
|---|---|
| General new consumer goods | Consumer-sales disclosures, product labeling, safety and advertising rules; product-specific rules may still apply. |
| Used goods / resale | A Secondhand Goods Dealer (古物商) permit may be required when commercially purchasing and reselling qualifying used goods, including via online platforms. |
| Imported food, beverages or food-related items | The Food Sanitation Act can require an import notification to the competent quarantine station; other permits or restrictions depend on goods and activities. |
| Cosmetics, medical or health-related products | Potential marketing/import licenses, product notifications and labeling/advertising regulation; the exact product classification matters. |
| Alcoholic beverages | Depending on the business and sales channel, a relevant liquor-sale license and additional requirements may apply. |
| Cross-border goods | Customs rules, tariff/product classification, import/export controls, labeling, consumer and tax obligations. |
Used goods business in Yamagata: Our office provides Secondhand Goods Dealer permit application support from ¥33,000 (tax included) for qualifying Yamagata cases. This is separate from Business Manager visa assistance. See our Japanese-language permit guide.
Scope matters: Immigration document support is separate from customs clearance, tax returns, certain product authorization procedures, and activities reserved to other licensed professionals. We clarify which procedures we can accept and when another specialist is required.
Japanese E-Commerce Disclosures and Customer Protection
Businesses selling to consumers online should review Japan's Act on Specified Commercial Transactions, relevant consumer protection rules and product regulations. Depending on the particular sales model, online advertising and purchase screens must clearly display prescribed information.
Seller information
Business identity, address, contact details and other seller disclosures where required.
Price and delivery terms
Prices, shipping and additional costs, payment timing, delivery, cancellation and returns conditions.
Order confirmation
Required information on the final order-confirmation screen and measures against misleading subscriptions or purchases.
A compliant online store supports business credibility, but consumer-law compliance does not independently establish residence eligibility. Check the Consumer Affairs Agency's official mail-order sales guidance.
Business Manager vs Remote Work, Freelancing and Company Ownership
| Situation | Key consideration |
|---|---|
| Own and direct an active Japanese EC company | Business Manager may be relevant if genuine management and all applicable revised criteria are satisfied. |
| Work remotely for an overseas company from Japan | Different immigration rules apply. The Designated Activities digital-nomad framework is limited and is not a general substitute for Business Manager. |
| Work as an employee for a Japanese e-commerce company | Depending on specialized job duties, an Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services status or another proper status may be relevant. |
| Passive shares or store ownership | Shareholding or a marketplace seller account alone does not create the right to live in Japan as a Business Manager. |
| Already hold Permanent Resident or another unrestricted status | There may be no need to change status solely to own or manage a lawful business; business permits and other laws still apply. |
We assess your planned activities in Japan, rather than assuming any online income can be converted into a residence application.
Documents for an E-Commerce Business Manager Application
| Document group | Examples |
|---|---|
| Applicant | Passport, current status if applicable, management résumé, qualifying master's/doctoral/professional degree or evidence of management experience. |
| Japanese entity and capital | Registration certificate, articles, paid-in capital/contribution proof, funding-source explanations and business accounts. |
| Business office | Appropriate lease or property records, usage description, floor plan/photographs and equipment. |
| Employee and language | Full-time employment records, remuneration and status evidence; accepted Japanese-language credentials. |
| Commerce and transactions | Online store details, seller agreements, supplier/purchaser contracts, order and settlement records, warehouse arrangements and payment flows. |
| Business plan | Products, target market, pricing, inventory, margins, operating budget, cash-flow projections, competitor analysis and required professional evaluation. |
| Product regulations | Permits, notifications and explanations as relevant to used goods, imported foods, cosmetics or other regulated items. |
Extra document rules: From April 15, 2026, the Immigration Services Agency added certain documents for category 3 and 4 Business Manager applications, including a declaration concerning the institution's representative for specified management cases. Required documents vary by application category and procedure; use the current official checklists.
How to Prepare a Credible E-Commerce Business Plan
The plan should show how the company will operate profitably and lawfully in Japan, not simply that an online store can be created. This is particularly important where the Japanese company relies on overseas inventory, dropshipping or third-party fulfillment.
Products and customers
Describe what is sold, the intended customers, market demand and competition in Japan or overseas.
Commercial structure
Identify the merchant of record, Japanese entity, sellers, suppliers, logistics providers and payment-flow arrangements.
Management and staffing
Document the founder's decisions, real office, eligible employee and any outsourced functions.
Funding and forecasts
Distinguish contributed capital, inventory spending, advertising budgets, gross margin and operating cash needs.
Permissions and compliance
Review product-specific permits, customs issues, consumer disclosures and appropriate third-party professional work.
Evidence and external review
Support forecast assumptions with business records and obtain the independent professional plan assessment where required.
Starting an online retail company in Japan?
Tell us your products, sales channels, business location, capital, planned employees and current residence situation. We can identify the key immigration documents before you commit to a lease or major inventory purchase.
Ask for an English ConsultationRenewal of an Existing E-Commerce Business Manager Visa
If you already held Business Manager status before the October 16, 2025 reform, the Immigration Services Agency provides transitional treatment for eligible extensions during the following three years. Not satisfying one of the revised criteria does not necessarily mean automatic refusal during that period, but genuine activity, company performance, compliance and prospects of meeting the new criteria remain important.
EC-specific renewal evidence may include accounts and tax records, fulfilled orders, customer payments, warehouse and supplier contracts, employee payroll, applicable licenses, and an explanation of how the founder actually manages the Japanese company. For applicants after the transition, the revised standards and the agency's guidance should be examined carefully.
Already trading with limited capital or only one owner? The transition is not a guarantee. Review your company's current status and improvement plan well before the residence expiry date. See our English guide to Business Manager renewal and the new standards.
From Overseas Enquiry to Immigration Submission
Initial facts and product check
Tell us the goods, markets, Japan business structure, planned office and where you currently reside.
Immigration feasibility
Review capital, eligible full-time staff, Japanese language, management background and proposed activities.
Service proposal
Explain COE or change/extension procedures, required supporting records, fees and any separately regulated work.
Document organization
Coordinate corporate, supplier, marketplace and financial records; assist with necessary explanation and professional plan review arrangements.
Application support
Prepare and submit the appropriate immigration materials within our authorized application-intermediary scope.
Further requirements
Help coordinate evidence requested by immigration and explain the separate visa/entry stage or other post-decision matters.
A Certificate of Eligibility and a consular visa are distinct stages, and neither the payment of capital nor the hiring of professional assistance guarantees permission. The final decision belongs to the relevant Japanese authority.
Business Manager Visa Fees for E-Commerce Entrepreneurs
| Service | Our professional fee (tax included) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Business Manager Certificate of Eligibility (COE) | From ¥165,000 | For a qualifying overseas applicant and Japanese operation. |
| Change of status to Business Manager | From ¥165,000 | For a person currently residing in Japan under an eligible status. |
| Standard Business Manager extension | From ¥66,000 | Ordinary case without major changes; complex renewals quoted individually. |
| Yamagata Secondhand Goods Dealer permit | From ¥33,000 | Separate service for qualifying used-goods trade; additional statutory fee and expenses. |
| Other product permits / special business documents | Individual quote | Depends on regulated product, jurisdiction and authorized service scope. |
These are separate starting fees, not a combined package. Translation, certificate procurement, shipping, government permission charges and separately required specialist reviews may cost extra. Commercial registration, tax filings and customs clearance may require other licensed professionals. We confirm all costs and service boundaries before engagement.
¥30 million is a business-capital requirement, not our professional fee. A COE application ordinarily has no immigration filing charge; applicable government fees for an approved change or renewal are separate and should be checked under the current fee schedule.
Have an online store plan or an existing EC company?
Share the Japanese company location, online selling method, types of goods, staff and investment arrangements. We will explain which residence and permit questions to address first.
Request a Fee Quote in EnglishFrequently Asked Questions
Can I obtain a Japan Business Manager visa with a Shopify store?
A Shopify store may be one component of a real Japanese enterprise. The store alone is insufficient; genuine management activity, the Japanese establishment, qualifying capital and staff, applicant background and other criteria must be established.
Can I apply if my business sells only through Amazon FBA?
An Amazon marketplace/FBA arrangement does not automatically disqualify a company, but the application must establish actual Japanese management and a genuine business premises. A fulfillment center or online seller account alone is not a substitute for those elements.
Do I need a physical shop where customers visit?
A customer-facing retail shop is not generally mandatory for an online business, but a suitable actual business office in Japan is normally required for the Business Manager residence application.
Can I use a virtual office or my apartment as the business address?
A mailbox-only virtual address is generally insufficient to prove appropriate business premises. Under the revised approach, a home/business-office combination is generally not accepted for ordinary new Business Manager cases. Actual coworking arrangements require individual review.
Is ¥30 million in annual sales enough?
No. For an incorporated business, the revised requirement generally concerns at least ¥30 million of qualifying paid-in capital or contributions, not gross sales, inventory value or projections.
Can an Engineer-visa employee satisfy the required full-time staff rule?
Not for the specific employee headcount requirement, which applies narrower qualifying nationality/residence-status categories. The rules for who may meet the Japanese-language condition are different.
Do I personally need JLPT N2?
Not in every case. The Japanese-language standard may be met by the applicant or a qualifying full-time employee through an officially recognized form of evidence. The separate staff-count rule still needs to be met.
What if I have a bachelor's degree but no management experience?
A bachelor's degree alone generally does not establish the revised applicant degree/career condition. We check for an eligible higher or professional degree or sufficient qualifying business-management experience.
Can I run a dropshipping company without inventory in Japan?
Outsourcing inventory or fulfillment is not automatically prohibited. Immigration will still need credible evidence of a real Japanese company, management activity, business scale, staff, office and viable operating model.
Does online retail always require a separate sales permit?
No single generic permit covers all online shops. However, items such as used goods, imported foods, cosmetics or alcoholic beverages may trigger product-specific licenses or notifications and consumer-protection obligations.
Do I need a Secondhand Goods Dealer permit for used products?
It may be required if you commercially purchase qualifying used goods for resale, including via online marketplaces. Selling personal used possessions alone is not necessarily the same regulated business. We examine sourcing and sales methods.
Can I use an overseas company's online revenue as the Japanese company's sales?
Not simply by adding the overseas entity's figures. The relevant contractual relationships, merchant of record, ownership, payments and activity of the Japanese enterprise must be documented accurately.
Can I apply for a COE while I live outside Japan?
Potentially, once the Japanese enterprise and required eligibility evidence are sufficiently established. The separate consular visa and entry processes follow where applicable. English online enquiries are welcome.
I already have a Business Manager visa but little capital. Can I renew?
Eligible existing residents may benefit from transitional treatment after the October 2025 reform, but renewal is not guaranteed. Actual operations, compliance, financial results and plans for satisfying revised requirements are considered.
Can your office register my company and complete its tax returns?
We can assist with immigration and applicable administrative documentation within our licensed scope. Commercial registration, tax filing and certain other regulated tasks require separately qualified professionals. Our quote will distinguish these services.
How much does Business Manager application support cost?
Our published starting professional fee is ¥165,000 (tax included) for a Business Manager COE or change application. Standard renewal starts from ¥66,000 (tax included). Additional services and actual expenses are separately quoted.
Consult a Licensed Administrative Scrivener in Japan
Kawagoe Masanobu Administrative Scrivener Office is located in Sagae, Yamagata Prefecture. We assist foreign entrepreneurs and Japanese companies with Business Manager COE, residence-status changes and extensions, within the authorized scope of an immigration application intermediary. English enquiries are welcome from Japan and overseas.
Masanobu Kawagoe
Licensed Administrative Scrivener / Immigration Application Intermediary
Kawagoe Masanobu Administrative Scrivener Office
Sagae, Yamagata, Japan
Please describe your planned Japan business and current immigration position. We confirm the competent filing authority, applicable service scope and actual fees before taking an engagement.
Related Services
Official Immigration and E-Commerce Guidance
Immigration rules and product-specific requirements may change. Confirm the latest checklists with the competent authority. The official bodies, rather than our office, make the final decisions about residence permission and applicable licenses.
Planning to Build an E-Commerce Business in Japan?
Before incorporating, investing heavily in inventory or signing a Japan office lease, tell us your products, intended marketplaces, Japan management arrangements, available capital, staff and residence situation. We will help identify the relevant immigration questions, evidence and service costs. No residence or business-permit outcome can be guaranteed.
Telephone 9:00–18:00 JST · Business Manager COE/change from ¥165,000 (tax included) · Nationwide and overseas enquiries