【経営・管理ビザ厳格化】入管調査では“実態ない申請”相次ぐも…　資本金3000万円の“壁”で長年働いてきた外国人経営者も帰国迫られかねない現状【news23】｜TBS NEWS DIG

Regarding the issue of "residence status" for foreigners. Last October, the government tightened the requirements for the "Business Manager" visa, necessary for operating a business in Japan. While the reason given was to "prevent abuse of residence status," concerns have been raised by those who have worked in Japan for many years, fearing they might be forced to return home. ■The Reality of "Visa Fraud": Stricter Requirements for "Business Manager" Visas Due to Repeated Abuse Shortly after 9 AM, Tokyo Immigration Bureau officials boarded a car. Their destination was… Tokyo Immigration Bureau Investigator "We have received an application for a 'Business Manager' residence status, and we are visiting to conduct an investigation to verify whether the application has been properly submitted." The "Business Manager" visa is a residence status for foreign business owners starting businesses in Japan. While it allows for the bringing of family members, there have been numerous cases of fraudulent visa acquisition through the establishment of shell companies—companies without actual business operations. Therefore, the Immigration Bureau is strengthening its investigations to ensure the applicant's business has a real purpose. The investigators visited a building in Tokyo that houses rental offices. Tokyo Immigration Bureau Investigator: "We can confirm that there are 15 companies listed in the mailbox alone." One of these companies is the target of this investigation. It claims to be a "design company," but there was no response, and checking the windows revealed no lights were on. Tokyo Immigration Bureau Investigator: "It's 10 AM, which is the opening time, so they should be there, but they're not." When the investigator called the applicant… Investigator: "Where are you right now?" Applicant: "I'm at home, resting." Investigator: "We'd like to visit your company and actually check the business details and company documents. Are you free today?" Applicant: "Tomorrow is fine." On this day, the applicant said they were unavailable, so the investigation was scheduled for the following day. According to the investigator, the rental office was structured with one floor divided by walls, and small booth-like rooms lined up along a corridor. The results of the investigation were… Tokyo Immigration Bureau Investigator: "We were able to confirm that there were suspicious aspects to the actual business operations." In another investigation, no one was at the office, and they didn't answer the phone. On-site inspections are entirely voluntary, and investigators must visit the company repeatedly until they obtain the applicant's cooperation. Applications deemed to lack substance as a result of the investigation are "denied," but the reality is that it is difficult to investigate every application. In October 2025, the government… Keisuke Suzuki, then Minister of Justice: "We intend to strive for proper and appropriate residency management while making even greater efforts to conduct fact-finding investigations." Due to a series of cases of abuse of the system, the requirements for obtaining a "Business Manager Visa" were tightened. Previously, the required capital amount was 5 million yen, but from October 2025 onwards, it was increased sixfold to 30 million yen, and the employment of full-time staff became mandatory. More than six months have passed since the tightening of requirements. According to a Ministry of Justice official, the number of new applications decreased from approximately 1,700 per month in the five months prior to the stricter regulations to about 70 per month in the five months following the regulations, a reduction of about 96%. This indicates that "acceptance is being carried out in line with the original intent of the system." ■ The "30 million yen capital requirement barrier" hinders honest business owners; concerns raised about the uniform stricter regulations On the other hand, there are also concerns about the stricter regulations. At an Indian and Nepalese curry restaurant in Ichikawa City, Chiba Prefecture… Mr. Gopal, owner of "Everest 8848" "I've paid insurance and taxes and lived in Japan for a long time, but the 30 million yen requirement (for capital) is a bit tough for me." This is the concern expressed by Mr. Gopal (50), the owner from Nepal. He came to Japan 19 years ago as a chef and, after three years of training, obtained a "business manager" visa. He now runs two curry restaurants in Chiba Prefecture. Gopal, owner of "Everest 8848" "It makes me happy when Japanese customers eat Nepalese and Indian curry and say, 'It's delicious.' It makes me want to work even harder." His greatest reward is letting people experience the taste of his homeland. Attracted by the delicious food and Gopal's friendly personality, he has many regular customers. A customer who visits once a month: "He's friendly, making it easy to talk, and the space isn't too big, so it...