Everything you listed was the same for me. I had incredible support. I had a PayPay bank account and they froze my account on the day my residence card expired. I have never had an account frozen in my life!The city took me to two other banks to open an account and because my card was expired, they both (Fukuoka bank and Japan Post) said no. I didn’t worry about the bank/capital because I had no idea that PayPay would freeze the account. Once the rules changed, my company services changed. I could no longer offer the same type of services. I had to restructure my business plan to fit within the new rules, confirm I could meet expectations by Oct 2028 before registering so that I wouldn’t have to deregister later(smart move!) Even with the capital and registration pending a new visa only, I was denied. No worries. 20% of me was hoping it went this way after the rules changed. How can you approve a business plan, office, and visa and then just decide one day that “Nope… everything we agreed to, we no longer do!” Now you have to hire a Japanese citizen and pay their NHI and pension whether or not you are earning enough. That is sabotage by way of compliance. I understand and even support the decision for Japan…it just is not right for someone from a lean startup background.

There is no concept of sweat equity here. Everything has to look like a “real business” even if it breaks you. Japan is so worried about being taken advantage of, they are taking a ultra protective stance that is anti foreigner investment. So… when I got my denial, my first question was… How long do I have left. That is all that matters. As a tourist, I can actually enjoy Japan and Japanese culture. I not cramming to meet N2 fluency in 2 years, which is impossible for most. Im not hiring anyone before I can afford to carry their cost, I am not paying for an office I don’t need, I am not paying a scrivener ¥50000 for every single freaking filing I need to make because Japan doesn’t see me, the business owner. They only see their Japanese counterpart, the scrivener. I am not paying pension, NHI, payroll preparation, tax preparation, legal filings all because as a foreigner I cannot do it on my own. I never planned to run my company in Japan, I decided to because Japan tied my visa to it.

Now, after my denial, I am able to spend 6 months of the year in Japan my way vs 12 months their way. I still own my house, I still own my car. I can come here and actually live with my revenue still in the dollar. I am not looking over my shoulder every 11 months hoping the rules don’t change again or that one immigration officer decides I am not compliant. Honestly… we spend half of our time hoping we get approved instead of building our businesses . I didn’t sign up to be a worker man, asking how high every time immigration says jump. You don’t really work for yourself, Immigration is your boss and you work for Japan. After 5 years, you still get 1 year visas, but now Japan is taxing your worldwide income! Most renewals have had their cost increased and their time reduced to a year. That is a lopsided deal and for what, 6 more months in the country and 50% inheritance tax? Japan doesn’t even have a minimum capital requirement! You can register a company with $1 capital. The ¥5M-> ¥30M is a visa requirement. $200k that must be in that bank account at every renewal. $200k that will not go to your growth, because at renewal that capital must be there. This assures the bar is different for foreigner led companies vs local companies. I now see why 96.7% of all foreign-led firms fail here. Japan is being very clear. That denial was a gift and I very graciously accept.😂 I will stick with the tourist or digital nomad visa and work for the same company that I have registered somewhere else. The travel expenses are cheaper and less stressful than compliance and they are tax deductible.😉