Japan Immigration News

The Immigration Services Agency plans to add Japanese language proficiency as a condition for an entrepreneurs visa. What do you think about this?

Release Date: 2025-09-15
Media: Japan Today
Summary: The proposal to add Japanese language proficiency as a condition for obtaining an entrepreneur visa has sparked divided opinions. Opponents argue that many successful foreign entrepreneurs in Japan have little or no Japanese ability, and that English alone is often sufficient to run a business. They also point out that Japanese is a notoriously difficult language to master, and imposing such a requirement could discourage talented entrepreneurs from coming to Japan, ultimately harming the country’s global competitiveness. With Japan facing population decline and economic stagnation, critics say the government should be lowering barriers to attract diverse talent rather than raising them.

On the other hand, some commenters expressed support or at least understanding of the idea. They noted that countries like Canada, New Zealand, and the UK already impose language requirements for similar visas, so Japan would not be an exception. Basic Japanese ability, they argued, could help entrepreneurs interact more smoothly with employees and local society. Some suggested that even a minimal level of proficiency, such as the lower levels of the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT), might be sufficient. Others pointed out that what is being discussed is not an “entrepreneur visa” per se but rather stricter conditions for the existing Business Manager Visa. Since this visa already requires hiring at least one full-time Japanese employee, the language requirement could, in practice, be met indirectly.

Overall, the discussion leaned toward the view that business competence and financial capability should matter more than language ability. Many expressed concern that requiring Japanese proficiency could exclude capable entrepreneurs who might otherwise bring valuable investment and innovation to Japan.
Tags: Business Manager

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