New business manager visa entrants fall 81% in first half of 2026 after rules tightened

What was reported

In a Kyodo story published on October 16, 2026, alongside the ISA’s end-June residency figures, new arrivals on the business manager (経営・管理) status in the first half of 2026 numbered 635, down 80.9% from the same period of 2025. The article says the tightening of requirements in October 2025 is thought to have driven the fall.

What this does not tell us

The article does not list the new requirements, give the total number of current holders, or say how renewals are treated. We have not yet checked the ISA’s own text, so we do not summarize the rules here. Law-firm commentary describes a much higher capital requirement, a full-time employee requirement and a Japanese-language requirement, and a transition period for existing holders; treat that as unconfirmed until we read the ISA notice.

Who is affected

People planning to start a company in Japan to get a visa, and current holders who will renew. Business manager is also a route some people use towards permanent residency, which now has its own income and pension tests.

What to check

Confirm the current requirements with the ISA or an administrative scrivener (行政書士) before you register a company or apply. This is information, not individual advice.