Starting a Business in Yokohama: A Guide for Yokohama Startup Visa

Introduction

Yokohama is a port city that has flourished since the late Edo period, known for its rich blend of old and new. With its ties to Japan’s modernization, the city offers a unique atmosphere, combining historic buildings with modern attractions and drawing many visitors to popular places like Yokohama Chinatown and Minato Mirai. At the same time, the city has always embraced new cultures, technology, and ideas, becoming a hub for innovation in both people’s lives and businesses.

Yokohama now offers a startup visa to support foreign entrepreneurs in launching businesses, aiming to globalize its startup ecosystem. This article provides a detailed guide to the Yokohama Startup Visa program, including eligibility criteria, requirements, the application process, visa renewal, and monthly interviews after approval.

Overview

Japan’s Startup Visa program, launched in 2018 by the Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry (METI), aims to encourage foreign entrepreneurs to invest in the country and enhance its innovative potential. This initiative provides a unique opportunity to establish businesses in Japanese cities with support from local governments. A key benefit is that approved entrepreneurs can obtain residency status for up to one year, along with various support.

Here are the areas where the startup visa is available.

Fukuoka City	Aichi Prefecture	Gifu Prefecture
Kobe City	Osaka City	Mie Prefecture
Hokkaido	Sendai City	Yokohama City
Ibaraki Prefecture	Niigata Prefecture	Oita Prefecture
Kyoto Prefecture	Hyogo Prefecture	Shibuya City
Hamamatsu City Kita-kyushu City	Kaga City	Toyama Prefecture

Yokohama was approved to implement the startup visa program in 2019 by METI. The city has been actively fostering new business models in the IT/IoT and healthcare sectors by establishing platforms that promote collaboration among universities, companies, and research institutions. These platforms aim to develop new products and services, support small businesses and startups, and address social challenges. Also, Japan’s leading companies and research institutions are concentrated in Yokohama, particularly in areas like Minato Mirai.

In 2019, the same year the program was implemented, the “Innovation City Yokohama” initiative was declared, with the purpose of generating new innovations from Yokohama by enabling researchers, engineers, entrepreneurs, and students to expand their networks beyond organizational boundaries. Along with the declaration, YOXO BOX, a startup growth support hub, was established. At YOXO BOX, various support programs are provided, including one-on-one consultations with startup experts, assistance for opening a bank account, finding an office, and referrals to administrative scriveners or judicial scriveners as well as business events to promote the “Innovation City Yokohama.” The city offers an excellent environment for people looking to start businesses from both Japan and overseas.

Eligibility

Eligible applicants: Individuals planning to start a business in Yokohama within a year (foreigners currently living in Japan under different residence statuses can also apply).
Eligible fields for startup visa:
- IoT and life innovation
- Businesses using innovative technology
- Knowledge-intensive and value-added businesses
- Other businesses aimed at creating new industries

*Ineligible fields: Wholesale, retail, trading, food and beverage, lodging, and service industries

Program Outline by Step

Before the Approval of the Visa	Interview with Yokohama Startup Visa coordinators	↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓
	Prepare and submit required documents
	Certification issued to confirm the application
	Designated activities status of residence issued by Immigration Services Agency
Activity Period of 6 Months to 1 Year	Engage in activities based on the business plan in Yokohama
	Monthly interview at YOXO BOX to update your business activity
	Renew the designated activities status of residence after the first six months pass (if business has still not started)

Requirements & Application Process

<<Required Documents>>

The required documents must be included with the application. Applicants are required to complete the applications in Japanese (if they are written in English, a translation of the documents must also be submitted).

Further information and document templates are available on the official website.

Application for Confirmation of Business Activities in Word format
Business Startup Preparation Activity Plan in Word format
Applicant’s resume in Word format
Pledge in Word format
Supplementary materials for the Application for Confirmation of Business Activities in Word format
A copy of applicant’s passport
A document that shows the applicant’s place of residence for one year after arriving in Japan/changing visa status (copy of a rental contract, application for rental contract, etc.)
A document that shows the cost of the applicant’s accommodation for one year after arriving in Japan/changing visa status (ex: A copy of the applicant’s bank book)
Other documents, which help to understand the applicant and their business plan.

※Along with these documents, applicants may need to provide additional ones if necessary.

<<Application Process>>

* Contact details and further information for each step are provided on the website.

① Preliminary Consultation

Applicants must have an interview with the Yokohama startup visa coordinators prior to submitting their application forms.
An appointment is required in advance for the interview.

※Both Japanese and English are available.

②Preparation and Submission of Documents

Applicants need to prepare: The documents previously mentioned
Who can submit the documents (either of the following):
- The applicants themselves
- A lawyer or administrative scrivener who has notified the Director-General of the Immigration Services Agency, through their bar association or administrative scrivener association, which has jurisdiction over their location (provided that if the applicant is overseas, this person must be entrusted by the applicant with the establishment of a business in Japan; if this is an organization, it must be an employee of that organization).

※In the latter case, a document must be provided to verify both the submitter’s relationship with the applicant and their official position.

Where applicants submit: Innovation Promotion Division, Business Innovation Department, Economic Affairs Bureau

※The documents need to be brought to the office in person. Submissions by mail or other methods are not accepted.

③Interview with the City of Yokohama

Applicants are required to have an in-person interview at the city office after passing the document screening.

④Certification Issued

A confirmation certificate will be granted to applicants who successfully pass both the document screening and the interview process.

⑤Apply for the Visa at the Immigration Services Agency

Applicants must visit the Immigration Services Agency and apply for the “Designated Activities” residence status within three months after receiving the certification.

Once applicants obtain the visa, they are required to inform the Yokohama startup visa coordinators as soon as possible by submitting the following documents.

The documents have to be all in Japanese (if they are written in English, a translation of the documents must also be submitted).

Notification of Acquisition (Renewal) of Status of Residence “Designated Activities in Word format
Copy of residence card

※If applicants are awaiting the issuance of a residence card, they can submit a copy of their passport instead.

Renew the Visa After Six Months

Before the first six months have passed, visa holders must renew their visas at the Immigration Services Agency.

①Certification for the Visa Renewal　

It is required to complete the documents listed below and submit them to the City of Yokohama beforehand.

1-1. Application for Confirmation of Business Activities (Renewal) in Word format

1-2. Business Startup Preparation Activity Plan (Renewal) in Word format

1-3. A copy of your passport

1-4. A document that shows the applicant’s place of residence for six months after renewing the visa (copy of a rental contract, application for rental contract, etc.)

1-5. A document that clarifies the cost of the applicant’s accommodation for the six months after renewing the visa (e.g., A copy of the applicant’s bank book)

※In addition to these documents, you may be asked to submit other documents.

The person who can submit the documents and the submission location are the same as in the initial application process.

②Apply for the Visa at the Immigration Services Agency

After receiving the certification, applicants need to apply for the “Designated Activities” status of residence at the Immigration Services Agency, following the initial visa application steps.

Additionally, applicants must promptly inform the Yokohama Startup Visa coordinators of the visa approval using the same set of documents as required initially.

Monthly Interview

A monthly interview is required during business activities in Yokohama. If no business-related activities are observed, or if the interview is missed, the visa will be invalidated.

Conclusion

Yokohama offers many advantages for foreign entrepreneurs looking to start a business. Its proximity to Tokyo provides a strategic geographical benefit, and the city fosters innovation through collaboration between major companies, startups, and educational institutions. Entrepreneurs from overseas can leverage these opportunities while preparing to launch their businesses, with a wide range of support available from the city.

About EXPACT

EXPACT provides a variety of operational support to domestic and international startups.

EXPACT offers market entry strategy advisory for international businesses looking to establish a presence in Japan. Our services are as follows:

– Advice for visas and programs: Providing guidance on suitable visas and government programs for foreign entrepreneurs (e.g., Startup visa).

– Market research assistance: Evaluating the potential market size and demand for the product or service

– Geographical evaluation based on the company’s target: Carrying out a location analysis to determine the most suitable region, prefecture, and city according to the startup’s specific needs.

– Support for applying financial aid programs: Sourcing and supporting the application process for applicable government grants and subsidies.

– Assistance for forming partnerships: Serving as a liaison to help the startup establish connections with local partners, investors, and government institutions.

– Advice for a business plan: Offering a business plan review with insights from a Japanese perspective.

– Translation services: Providing translation services for in-person meetings, virtual discussions and document preparation.

Additionally, the company also offers One-Stop support from Startup advisory to Finance, PR, Recruitment and EXIT.

Finance and Fundraising: Advisory on financial health of startup and proposing an optimal fundraising plan, by applying for government grants and facilitating investor introductions. Activities include drafting a pitch deck, forming a business plan and/or cap table.
Promotion: Publishing press releases, building media relations, branding.
Startup Advisory: Business ideation, researching, conducting interviews, MVP analysis, investment access.
Human Resources: Personnel strategy, hiring support, institution building.
EXIT: IPO support, M&A support, exit system design.

For assistance or additional information, please contact us at info@EXPACT.jp.

Inquiries on market entry strategies can be directed to pramod@EXPACT.jp

Written by Pramod Sharma & Yukari Kondo

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References:

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Starting a Business in Yokohama: A Guide for Yokohama Startup Visa