---

In our previous article, we compared examples of strong and weak financial plans and explained what makes the difference. This time, we’ll take a more practical approach and walk you through actual financial plan templates and strategies for presenting figures convincingly. If you're preparing to apply for a business visa in Japan, understanding how to present numbers that immigration officers can trust is essential.

---

1. Basic Structure of a Financial Plan Template

When preparing a financial plan for a business visa (especially for the Business Manager visa), make sure it includes the following components:

[Template Structure]

1. Projected Profit and Loss Statement (P/L) – For 3 Years
   • Revenue (by product or service)
   • Cost of Goods Sold
   • Gross Profit
   • Selling, General & Administrative Expenses (rent, salaries, advertising, etc.)
   • Operating and Net Profit
2. Cash Flow Forecast
   • Initial investments
   • Capital (personal funds or investor contributions)
   • Monthly income and expenses
   • Projected deficit periods and how they will be covered
3. Sales and Cost Assumptions
   • Price setting rationale (compared to market averages)
   • Basis for customer estimates and conversion rates
   • Attach supporting documents like quotes or draft contracts
4. Multiple Scenario Forecasting
   • Optimistic, moderate, and pessimistic sales cases
   • Backup plans in case of revenue shortfalls (cost-cutting, downsizing, etc.)

---

2. How to Make Your Numbers More Credible

✅ Use Comparable Market Data

Example: “The average monthly sales for similar shops in ○○ ward, Tokyo is approximately ¥5 million. Given our smaller scale, we project ¥3 million.”
→ Referencing public data or industry reports adds credibility.

✅ Create a Narrative Around Your Numbers

Example: “With over 10 years of experience managing a nail salon and an 80% customer retention rate, we expect to draw around 200 customers monthly at our projected price point.”
→ When numbers are tied to your actual background and experience, they become more believable.

✅ Visualize with Charts and Tables

Use bar charts, monthly income/expense tables, and cash flow diagrams. These help immigration officers understand the projections at a glance.

---

3. Common Mistakes and How to Fix Them

Common Mistake	How to Improve
Overestimating sales with no justification	Provide market data or competitive analysis as context
Vague or lump-sum expense estimates	Break down costs and attach estimates/contracts
Long-term deficits with no funding plan	Include personal funds, loans, or subsidies as funding sources
No cash flow statement	Provide monthly breakdowns for the first 12 months

---

4. Recommended Supporting Documents to Include

• Monthly profit/loss and cash flow statements (Excel or PDF)
• Cited industry data or report sources (URLs or publication names)
• Property photos or floor plans (if applicable)
• Price lists or supplier quotes
• Draft contracts or letters of intent from potential partners (if available)

---

Conclusion

Your financial plan isn’t just a collection of numbers — it’s the key document that proves your business is feasible and trustworthy. Even if your format looks professional, it must be supported by solid reasoning and data. When your projections are grounded, realistic, and aligned with your own background, immigration officers are much more likely to approve your application.