Insights & Guides
Practical knowledge on Japan market entry — from company setup and visas to trade logistics and branding.
Can You Renew a Japan Management Visa Under Old Rules Until 2028?
Yes, but only if you already held Management Visa (経営・管理) status before October 16, 2025. The Immigration Control Act (入管法) reform tightened the standard that day, and existing holders may renew...
Proving Japanese Ability for Japan's Management Visa (2026)
Acceptable proof is a JLPT N2 certificate or CEFR B2-equivalent documentation, held by either the visa applicant or the company's qualifying full-time employee, not a self-declared claim of...
Japan Management Visa (2026): Who Counts as a Qualifying Employee?
A qualifying employee for Japan's Management Visa (経営・管理) is a Japanese national, a Special Permanent Resident, a Permanent Resident, the spouse or child of a Japanese national, or a Long-Term...
Do You Need a Separate Permit to Import High-Pressure Gas Into Japan in 2026?
Yes. Importing compressed or liquefied high-pressure gas into Japan requires clearing the High Pressure Gas Safety Act (高圧ガス保安法), on top of ordinary customs clearance under the Customs Act (関税法)....
Why Does Japan KK or GK Incorporation Involve a Separate Invoice From a Judicial Scrivener in 2026?
A separate invoice arrives because the actual registration filing is a reserved legal act. Under the Judicial Scrivener Act (司法書士法), only a licensed Judicial Scrivener (司法書士) may represent a...
Does Changing Employers Affect Your J-Skip Visa Status in Japan? (2026 Guide)
Yes, in two distinct ways. First, a general notification obligation under the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act (入管法) requires most work-visa holders, including status-of-residence...
Is an Electronically Signed Contract Legally Valid in Japan? (2026 Guide)
Yes. Under the Act on Electronic Signatures (電子署名法, enacted 2001), an electronic signature that meets Japan's qualification standard carries the same legal presumption of authenticity as a...
How Does Japan's HSP Visa Change Your Spouse's Work Rights in 2026?
The spouse of a Highly Skilled Professional (高度専門職, HSP) visa holder can apply for a dedicated status of residence that permits employment without the 28-hour weekly cap applied to an ordinary...
Does Japan's Startup Visa Guarantee You a Management Visa in 2026?
No. The Startup Visa (特定活動告示44号, Designated Activities Public Notice No. 44) buys a founder up to two years to build toward the Management Visa (経営・管理) standard; it does not lower or waive that...
Experimental Station Licence or Type Certification: Which Does Your IoT Device Need in Japan? (2026)
If your wireless device is for research, development, or a limited trial, you need an Experimental Station Licence (実験局免許) from the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (総務省 (MIC)). If...