Business Manager Visa Japan Requirements: Who Can Review Your Business Plan?

The revised rules may be stricter than many applicants expect

Last updated: May 20, 2026

A new requirement attracting attention

Under the revised Business Manager visa framework, business plans may need to be reviewed by qualified professionals.

However, many applicants are still unclear about who actually qualifies as an acceptable reviewer.

Who currently qualifies?

According to the FAQ, the following professionals currently qualify:

• Certified Small and Medium Enterprise Consultants
• Certified Public Accountants (CPAs)
• Licensed Tax Accountants

The FAQ also suggests that foreign qualifications alone may not satisfy the requirement.

Can internal company members act as reviewers?

According to the FAQ, directors and employees of the applicant’s own company may not qualify due to concerns regarding objectivity.

However, external advisors such as outside CPAs or tax accountants may still be acceptable.

Why this matters

The revised standards suggest that immigration may increasingly focus not only on the existence of a business plan, but also on how professionally and objectively it has been evaluated.

This may represent a significant shift from earlier practice.

Final thoughts

The Business Manager visa revisions appear to involve more procedural detail than many expected.

Understanding who can properly review and support a business plan may become increasingly important.