The following table shows the difference between the Foreign National Startup Activity Promotion Program (the National Strategic Special Zone Foreign National Startup Activity Promotion Program), which was previously implemented by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, and the new program, the Program to Promote Startup Businesses by Foreign Nationals by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.
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The "Startup Preparation Activity Plan Confirmation Certificate" issued by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government is an important document for examination by the Immigration Bureau, but just because you have the certificate does not guarantee that you will be approved.

The applicant's capital must be at least 5 million yen and the applicant himself/herself must be at least a 51% shareholder. (The applicant 100% funded by the company is not eligible to apply.)　

The certificate of eligibility is granted individually. Each of the applicants must submit a separate application. Although the content of "2. Business Overview" and "6. Cash Flow Chart" of the Startup Preparation Activity Plan is expected to be the same, each applicant needs to prepare and submit the relevant application documents separately.

This program covers the "Business Owner" aspect of the "Business/Management" status of residence. In other words, it is aimed at foreign nationals who will themselves start a new business (as the management). Therefore, it is not applicable to employees and others, even if they are founding members. "Whether or not someone is considered as being involved in management" will be judged practically according to their investment (share) in the business, their role in the business, etc. 　

This program is based on a special provision to encourage foreign entrepreneurs to set up business in Tokyo. In principle, this program can be used by foreign nationals newly entering Japan to start up a business in Tokyo, as well as foreign national who hold some kind of status of residence.

You can apply.
A person who falls under any of the following (*) can submit the documents.

(*) People who can submit application documents

1. Applicant
2. A member of the staff of a public interest incorporated association or a public interest incorporated foundation, which has the purpose of facilitating the smooth acceptance of foreign nationals, and whom the director of the regional Immigration Services Agency deems to be suitable (Currently, the Japan Immigration Association fulfills these conditions.)
3. An attorney or administrative scrivener who has, through their bar association or administrative scrivener association, given notification to the director of the regional Immigration Services Agency that has jurisdiction over the association. However, if the applicant is not in Japan, this person will be someone (or staff member of a company) commissioned by the applicant to establish a business in Japan.

Note: If the application documents are submitted by a person described in 2. or 3., documentation that clarifies their relationship with the applicant and proves that they are in the position to do so must be also be submitted.

Note that this system is intended for those who are thinking of conducting business startup activities in Tokyo during their six-month stay in order to launch a business that meets certain requirements, and "Confirmation of Business Startup Activities" is provided for those who have a sufficiently high probability of doing so. "Confirmation of Business Startup Activities" may not be provided if it is believed that business start-up activities in Tokyo are not sufficiently expected.

This program is intended for foreign nationals who will conduct Startup Preparation Activity in Tokyo and will establish a business in Tokyo in the future. Therefore, you will not be eligible for the "Confirmation of startup preparation activity plan."

No. This program is intended for those who start their own business (business owners, executives, etc.), so family members are not included as applicants. Even if family members plan to work as employees, they are not eligible for this program. However, there is a possibility that another status of residence may be applicable, so we recommend that you consult with the Immigration Bureau.

This program is intended for foreign nationals who are starting a new business, so you are not eligible. However, there is a possibility that another status of residence may be applicable, so we recommend that you consult with the Immigration Bureau.

If the contents of the franchise agreement allow the applicant to have discretionary authority as a manager, you can apply.

Application forms can be downloaded from the Tokyo Metropolitan Government website (*see below).

Japanese
https://www.investtokyo.metro.tokyo.lg.jp/jp/oursupports/bdc-tokyo/startupvisa.html
English
https://www.investtokyo.metro.tokyo.lg.jp/en/oursupports/bdc-tokyo/startupvisa.html

Please submit application forms to the Business Development Center TOKYO（Akasaka) email address listed at the end of website.

Business Development Center TOKYO Akasaka office is available to answer your questions. We can also answer questions in English.

You can increase the space (by adding extra lines to the forms) if you download them.
You can add extra lines to the downloaded forms.

Please fill out the application forms and other documents to be submitted to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government in either Japanese or English. If in English, please submit a file in WORD format and a PDF file with your signature. Your name should be written in the alphabet or in kanji (hiragana or katakana).

Note: As a rule, documents to be submitted to the Tokyo Regional Immigration Services Bureau must be written in Japanese.

Please describe in the Startup Preparation Activity Plan what you can realize and implement in the future with a certain degree of support. Please do not fill in any items that are not feasible or are very unlikely to be feasible. If you are unable to fill in the blanks, you may leave them blank, but we will use the information in the plan to determine whether or not it is feasible.
If there are many blank spaces, we recommend that you take the time to carefully consider your business plan before submitting your application.

The address on the application form must be a place of residence where you can be contacted during the period of residence of one year or six months, as well as for issuance of the Startup Preparation Activity Plan Confirmation Certificate. If you must change your address after the application and before the end of your period of residence, please notify Business Development Center TOKYO of your contact information so that they can contact you when necessary.

The submitted Plan for Startup Preparation Activities and other documents are assessed from the perspective of whether you have a high likelihood of fulfilling the conditions for the "Business/Management" status of residence after the one year or six-month preparation period (startup preparatipn activity period), in which case, "Confirmation of Business Startup preparation Activities" will be granted. For this reason, it is important that the submitted Plan for Business Startup Activities and other documents include the following information, explained in an easy-to-understand manner. If the likelihood of fulfilling the conditions for "Business/Management" status is not considered to be sufficient based on the submitted documents, etc., the "Startup Preparation Activity Plan Confirmation Certificate" cannot be granted.

• What kind of business will you engage in? [Business details]
• Where will the business be conducted? [Area of operation]
• Where will the office be located in Tokyo? [Office Location]
• What kind of preparation and activities will be required to start the business? [Specific plan to start the business]
• How much money will you required to start the business (Startup Preparation Activity)? How will the funds if any be raised? [Funds for Startup Preparation Activity]
• Who will be the directors of the corporation (if it is a corporation) and what roles will they play? [Corporate officers]
• What size of business will be conducted? [Business scale]
• Have you secured housing for the period until you start your business (Startup Preparation Activity)?
• Do you have sufficient funds for living? [residence, living funds]

If you are essentially starting a business by yourself (e.g., 100% ownership), you may write "representative director," "general management," or "overseeing the entire business as a representative. If you are cofounding (or applying for) a business with another foreig national, or if there is another business owner who is Japanese. Please explain your specific role in the business, such as "Vice President of Sales, responsible for sales in XX region," "Director, responsible for planning, development, and production of YY project," or "CFO, responsible for fundraising, financial management, and corporate planning."

In the confirmation of the Plan for Business Startup Preparation Activities, the evaluation will focus on how possible it will be for the applicant to launch a business of a scale that meets the requirements through their startup preparation activities. In general, it is assumed that this probability is higher when the applicant has the abilities, qualifications, experience and so on that will work to the advantage of the proposed business. In addition to nationally-recognized qualifications, it may be helpful if you include information such as "majored in XX and especially researched YY at university," and "experience in developing sales channels for product ZZ to leading company AA , company BB, and others in the CC industry." Another important element is, as also outlined in the policy for the Tokyo Area National Strategic Special Zone, "to create a new, internationally competitive business." Another important factor is to "strengthen the international competitiveness of Japanese industry and form a base for international economic activities," as stated in the Public Notice.

Generally, the date of opening of a business conducted as a corporation is the date of its registration as a corporate entity, and for a sole proprietorship in which a corporation is not established, this is the date that the Notification of Opening of Business was submitted (to the tax office). The opening of business could also be interpreted as the first day of sales. For a sole proprietorship, in the Capital Stock (or Personal Funds) line, indicate the amount of working funds especially prepared to launch the business.

When starting a new business, a large amount of money and effort is required, and the risk of failure is not insignificant. We recommend that you apply after establishing a concrete image of your business by gathering more information in your field of expertise.

Even if the business is not profitable, if it "contributes to strengthening the international competitiveness of Tokyo's industries and to promoting international economic activities," it may be subject to the "Confirmation of Startup Preparation Activity Plan," but in general, if the business is not likely to make a profit to maintain a certain scale, it may not be the target of the "Confirmation of Startup Preparation Activity Plan." If you are considering a business other than a for-profit business, we recommend that you consult with the Regional Immigration Services Bureau, including application for other status of residence.

Please describe in an organized step-by-step manner what you need to do before starting your business in terms of administrative procedures such as incorporation (preparation of articles of incorporation, payment of capital, registration of incorporation, obtaining permits and licenses, etc.), hiring executives and employees, preparation of products and services, building relationships with customers and business partners, and obtaining funds. Please keep in mind to identify the key points of the "Confirmation of Startup Preparation Activity Plan" as described in Q18. In particular, you need to write down how much funds are needed at each stage and how they will be allocated in a realistic manner.

If so, please describe your plans for business development (sales activities, production activities, etc.), sales, financing, etc. for the business you have started.

It is difficult to forecast future sales and expenses. However, these are essential to evaluate business sustainability and to check the items necessary for "Confirmation of Business Startup Preparation Activities," as described in Question 18 above. For this reason, based on reasonable grounds, provide figures that are in line with the expected nature of your business and customers (e.g., average unit price, number of customers).

For breakdown of sales and expenses, indicate the leading items (items of high value, items characteristic of the business, etc.), and combine the other items under "Other." Generally speaking, in many cases, the breakdown of sales is done by type of product/service, or by customer; the cost of sales includes cost of materials, outsourcing, labor (personnel costs of people manufacturing the goods); and selling and administration costs including HR expenses (personnel costs of the indirect departments), rent, lease, and marketing costs (advertising, communications, travel, shipping, etc.). Income after income tax is calculated by deducting interest payments, extraordinary loss, corporate income tax, etc., from operating income. Income after income tax corresponds to "This period's income" in "5. Financial Plan."

The income plan shows how much profit (or loss) is produced after expenses are deducted from sales. The financial plan shows how much money is left in the company's "wallet" (cash). As can be understood from the term "black-ink bankruptcy," even though a company is generating profit, it may lack sufficient cash. In order to grant "Confirmation of Business Startup Preparation Activities," it would be necessary for you to show that the business will be able to secure sustainable levels of profit and funding.

In general, cash flows are calculated by deducting cash outlays that are not included as expenses (use of funds), such as real estate purchases, capital investment, and repayment of debt from (post-tax) profit, and adding new funds procured and expenses with no cash outlays (capital procurement) such as depreciation costs, debts, and capital increase.

The one-year or six-month period of residence granted under this program is for Startup Preparation Activity, and working (activities other than those permitted under the status of residence) is not permitted in principle. If you have not secured the necessary funds for one year or six months of living and Startup Preparation Activity in advance, it will be difficult to conduct Confirmation of startup preparation activity plan.

Please either sign or affix your seal in the signature line. If you are signing, please use the same signature as on your passport.

The information you provide is up to you, however you should include information that supports the evaluation of your new business or potential of your startup activities. This could include your major field of study and research at school, and your work experience and achievements. If there is not enough space, you can insert additional lines.

If you plan to use a rental house, you will need to submit a contract or a rental application form, etc. If you plan to stay at an accommodation facility for long-term residents, you will need to submit proof of reservation with the facility. If rental fees are required, proof of payment for more than one year (proof of bank balance) is also necessary.

The following documents are required as a "Document that can clarify where the applicant will be residing for one year after entering Japan."

• Document authorizing the applicant's stay by the acquaintance (Letter of consent to live together).
  Note: Provide the applicant's information, length of stay, and the address, contact information, and signature of the acquaintance.
• A copy of the lease agreement/application for lease of the acquaintance's house and a copy of the certificate of residence.
• If the acquaintance is a foreign national, a copy of their resident card.

If submitting a bank balance certificate of a prospective co-investor rather than the applicant, you will need to provide a written explanation of the investment in the applicant's company, in addition to a bank balance certificate of the co-investor.

Please attach any documents that will be useful in "Confirmation of startup preparation activity plan." Pamphlets of the business (company) you are going to start, product (service) descriptions, contracts with (potential) customers, documents proving your background and achievements, results of Japanese language proficiency tests, documents proving that you have secured funds for your business (living expenses), etc.

There is no specific format, but please include the name and contact information of the proxy, a statement indicating the scope of the power of attorney, and the name, contact information, and signature of the person who has authorized the proxy.

It is valid for three months. You must submit the certificate together with other required documentation within this period to the "Tokyo One-Stop Business Establishment Center"(TOSBEC), Immigration Booth or the Tokyo Regional Immigration Services Bureau, and apply for issuance of a Certificate of Eligibility for a Status of Residence or for change of satatus of residence.

If all the necessary documents submitted to Business Development Center TOKYO are complete, you can expect to receive the result within about one month. However, it may take longer in case of incomplete documents, additional certification documents, etc. are required, or in case of a large number of applications.

Upon hearing the views of experts on business management, when it has been acknowledged that the application for issuance of the certificate is appropriate and that the business fulfills all the requisites provided in the Public Notice 5-6, we will decide to issue the "Startup Preparation Activity Plan Confirmation Certificate" and issue the certificate. The "Startup Preparation Activity Plan Confirmation Certificate" will be either delivered by mail or handed over in person.

When it has been acknowledged that the application for issuance of the certificate was not in order or that it did not satisfy some of the requisites, a "Notice of Results of Confirmation of Startup Preparation Activity Plan" will be issued (by post) to notify the applicant that the certificate cannot be issued.

If you wish to change your status of residence from "Student," please apply at least 3 months prior to your scheduled graduation date while you are still in school.

When applying for a change of status of residence, have your application documents checked by "C5 (Business and Employment Inspection Department)" on the second floor of the Tokyo Regional Immigration Services Bureau, and then submit them to Counter B (Residence Inspection).

Note: You cannot apply for a change of status of residence at the Immigration Booth of the Tokyo One-Stop Business Establishment Center (TOSBEC).
Note: Consultation about application for change of status of residence is available at either the immigration booth of the Tokyo One-Stop Business Establishment Center (TOSBEC) or the Tokyo Regional Immigration Services Bureau ("C-5" [Business and Employment Inspection Department]).

After changing your status of residence to "Designated Activities," your main activities will be limited to Startup Preparation Activity and business management, so it will be difficult for you to continue your studies. Also, some universities/schools may require that you have the status of residence of "Student" in order to continue your studies, so we recommend that you check with the university/school in advance.

Documents such as the Startup Preparation Activity Plan Confirmation Application and Consent Form, Startup Preparation Activity Plan must be prepared by the applicant themselves. In addition, documents to be submitted at the time of application should be submitted by a person (*) who falls under one of the following categories.

(*) People who can submit application documents

• Applicant
• A member of the staff of a public interest incorporated association or a public interest incorporated foundation, which has the purpose of facilitating the smooth acceptance of foreign nationals, and whom the director of the regional Immigration Services Agency deems to be suitable (Currently, the Japan Immigration Association fulfills these conditions.)
• An attorney or administrative scrivener who has, through their bar association or administrative scrivener association, given notification to the director of the regional Immigration Services Agency that has jurisdiction over the association. However, if the applicant is not in Japan, this person will be someone (or staff member of a company) commissioned by the applicant to establish a business in Japan.

Note: If the application documents are submitted by a person described in 2. or 3., documentation that clarifies their relationship with the applicant and proves that they are in the position to do so must be also be presented.

Monthly checks are required for a period of one year or six months. Tokyo Metropolitan Government officials will ask about the status of your start-up preparation activities online or in person, and compare your actual activities with the plan described in your Startup Preparation Activity Plan.
　Also, in order to confirm your current financial status, Tokyo Metropolitan Government officials may ask to see your bankbook or other records. The applicant must agree to cooperate in this verification at the time of application for the "Confirmation of startup preparation activity plan." (*You will be asked to confirm and sign the agreement on the "Startup Preparation Activity Plan Confirmation Application and Consent Form."

If you will continue to manage a business in Japan for more than one year or six months after entering Japan or changing your status of residence, please apply for a change of status of residence　(from Designated Activities to Business/ Management) or extension of period of residence at the Tokyo Regional Immigration Services Bureau.

Please contact the Business Development Center TOKYO Akasaka office regarding a change of address (contact information). You will be asked to submit a "Change Notification Form" and other documents that clearly show the fact of the change. Please explain any changes in business activities, etc. at the time of the progress check, which will take place within one year or six months.