Insights & Guides
Practical knowledge on Japan market entry — from company setup and visas to trade logistics and branding.
How Do You Upgrade from HSP-1 to HSP-2 in Japan? (2026)
HSP-1 holders qualify for HSP-2 after three years on HSP-1, or after just one year if their point score reaches 80 or more (against the 70-point threshold that qualifies for HSP-1 in the first...
Who Can Certify a Business Plan for Japan's Management Visa? (2026)
Only three categories of Japan-licensed professional may certify a Management Visa (経営・管理) business plan: a Certified Public Accountant (公認会計士), a Licensed Tax Accountant (税理士), or a Small and...
How Many Points Do You Need for Japan's HSP Visa? A Worked Example (2026)
You need 70 or more points on the relevant category table to qualify for HSP-1 status under Japan's Highly Skilled Professional visa (高度専門職). Points come from education, professional experience,...
Can Two Foreign Co-Founders Each Hold a Management Visa for the Same Japan Company? (2026)
Yes. More than one foreign national can each hold Management Visa (経営・管理) status in the same Japan company, but only if the entity is genuinely large enough to need that many managers. Immigration...
J-Skip Visa for Families: Spouse Work Rights and Dependent Status in Japan (2026)
J-SKIP is built around the same policy logic as HSP (高度専門職): Japan wants senior global talent to actually relocate, and that only happens if a spouse and children can come too. Family members...
J-Skip Visa Work Scope: Why It Allows More Than a Standard Work Visa (2026)
J-SKIP is issued under the broader Designated Activities (特定活動) status framework, which permits materially wider work scope than the standard Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International...
J-Find Visa Explained: Japan's Job-Seeking Status for Skilled Graduates and Researchers (2026)
J-FIND is a Designated Activities (特定活動) status that lets highly skilled foreign graduates and researchers stay in Japan for up to two years to search for a position matching Highly Skilled...
J-Skip Visa vs HSP Visa: Which Fast-Track Status Fits Your Case? (2026)
Choose J-SKIP if you already clear a graduate degree or strong professional experience plus the published income threshold, since it requires no scoring exercise. Choose HSP if your income falls...
J-Skip Visa Eligibility: Income and Degree Requirements Explained (2026)
J-SKIP eligibility runs on two pathways: a master's degree or higher combined with annual income above a Ministry of Justice (法務省)-published threshold, or sufficient professional work experience...
What Is the J-Skip Visa? Japan's Fast-Track Status for High-Income Professionals (2026)
The J-SKIP visa is a Designated Activities (特定活動) residence status for high-income foreign professionals and graduate-degree holders, created as a companion track to Japan's point-based Highly...