{"id":145682,"date":"2025-11-12T11:30:31","date_gmt":"2025-11-12T02:30:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.fukuoka-now.com\/?p=145682&lang=en"},"modified":"2026-03-10T12:28:08","modified_gmt":"2026-03-10T03:28:08","slug":"japanese-law-visa-application-startup-support","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.fukuoka-now.com\/en\/japanese-law-visa-application-startup-support\/","title":{"rendered":"Japanese Law \u2013 Visa Application & Startup Support"},"content":{"rendered":"

Masayo Boston is a certified legal professional specializing in administrative procedures (gyoseishoshi<\/em> \u884c\u653f\u66f8\u58eb) in Fukuoka. Her focus is on helping foreigners with visa applications, naturalization procedures, and establishing companies in Japan. The text presented here is provided in its entirety by Masayo Boston. To learn more about her services and to contact her, please access her website<\/a>.<\/p>\n

This series is updated monthly, so check back for the latest articles.<\/p>\n

Topics<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Permanent Residence Applications: New Clarification on Period of Stay<\/strong><\/h3>\n

(Post date: 2026\/03\/10)
\nOn February 24, 2026, the Immigration Services Agency revised guidelines related to permanent residence (PR) applications. While the wording of the revision may seem technical, the change essentially restores… Read more<\/a>
\n\"Permanent<\/p>\n

New Approval Criteria for the \u201cBusiness Management\/Administration\u201d Residence Status<\/strong><\/h3>\n

(Post date: 2025\/11\/12)
\nThe approval criteria for the \u201cBusiness Manager (Business Management\/Administration) \u7d4c\u55b6\u30fb\u7ba1\u7406 residence status were revised in mid-October 2025. My office has received multiple inquiries about this revision from foreign business owners holding this residence status\u2026 Read more<\/a><\/p>\n

\"New<\/a><\/p>\n

Unlocking Extended Leisure Stays in Japan: A Guide to the \u2018Long Stay for Sightseeing and Recreation\u2019 Residence Status<\/strong><\/h3>\n

(Post date: 2023\/10\/13)
\nIn today’s article, I aim to shed light on a particular type of residence status that permits an extended stay for sightseeing and recreation in Japan, lasting from six months up to one year\u2014with the option for extension. This status is officially known as “Long Stay for Sightseeing and Recreation.”…Read more<\/a><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Choosing Sides: An In-depth Look at Japanese Nationality Laws<\/strong><\/h3>\n

(Post date: 2023\/6\/15)
\nLegal systems vary globally in their protocols for conferring nationality. Some nations, including the United States, Brazil, and Peru, grant citizenship by birthright, while others, like China and South Korea, award nationality based on the principle of lineage or descent. This article will succinctly outline the necessary procedures in Japan for individuals with dual nationality, encompassing both Japanese and a foreign citizenship. Read more<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Choosing<\/a><\/p>\n

Movement to Change Japanese Nationality Law<\/strong><\/h3>\n

(Post date: 2023\/4\/18)
\nRecently, I have had more opportunities to think about dual nationality. Our office has handled applications for naturalization on behalf of former Japanese nationals and procedures related to the residence status of foreign spouses and children of Japanese nationals who have unavoidably had to give up Japanese citizenship… Read more<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Movement<\/a><\/p>\n

Residency for Tax vs Immigration Purposes<\/strong><\/h3>\n

(Post date: 2023\/3\/14)
\nMarch 15\u2026 It\u2019s the deadline for filing for income tax adjustment and paying your income tax in Japan.\u3000Tax season may be a difficult time for sole business proprietors as they need to prepare their own tax adjustments whether they outsource the assignments to a tax accountant or not…Read more<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Residency<\/a><\/p>\n

When Moving Out of a Tenant\u2019s Home<\/strong><\/h3>\n

(Post date: 2023\/2\/9)
\nMakoto Ayukawa, a guitarist and pioneer of mentai rock (rock music from Hakata in the 70s), passed away on January 29. Someone recommended that I should listen to \u201c\u501f\u5bb6\u306e\u30d6\u30eb\u30fc\u30b9\u201d from the first album \u201c\u6709\u9802\u5929\u201d by the band Sonhouse, which Ayukawa played in before starting the band Sheena & The Rokkets. In memory of Ayukawa, I listened to the song \u201c\u501f\u5bb6\u306e\u30d6\u30eb\u30fc\u30b9\u201d which means \u201cThe Blues of a Rented House\u201d… Read more<\/a><\/p>\n

\"When<\/a><\/p>\n

Leaving Japan \u2013 A Checklist<\/strong><\/h3>\n

(Post date: 2023\/1\/12)
\nHappy New Year! It is a new year, and some of you may be preparing for a new beginning. Some of you may be leaving Japan to live in another country for various reasons. I will outline some of the necessary general steps to take before you depart. (Tax is not my specialized field so I will only mention some general matters. I will not go into the pension, health insurance card and income tax return matters here either.) We hope you will find this information helpful as you prepare to leave Japan… Read more<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Leaving<\/a><\/p>\n

Income Documentation for Application for Permanent Residence Permit<\/strong><\/h3>\n

(Post date: 2022\/12\/8)
\nWe often receive inquiries about applications for permanent residence permits. Many applicants believe that having legally resided in Japan for ten years or more is a sufficient condition to obtain permanent resident status. Many of our clients are unaware of the \u201cindependent livelihood requirement.\u201d To prove that you meet the independent livelihood requirement, you must submit a certificate of taxation or a certificate of tax payment of residence tax. The following describes the tax-related documents required when applying to become a permanent resident from various other residency permit statuses… Read more<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Income<\/a><\/p>\n

Naturalization in Japan \u2013 The Process Explained<\/strong><\/h3>\n

(Post date: 2022\/11\/10)
\nHow well do you know the process of naturalization in Japan? Although becoming naturalized is sometimes compared to applying for a permanent residence permit, a permanent resident is still a foreigner who does not have the right to vote. In contrast, when naturalization is granted, successful applicants become a Japanese national, a new Japanese family register will be created, and voting rights will also be granted. However… Read more<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Naturalization<\/a><\/p>\n

Our Business Legal Consultancy Services<\/strong><\/h3>\n

(Post date: 2022\/10\/4)
\nOctober is here, and I suddenly realized it\u2019s Autumn. In Japan, we say \u201cIchijitsu Senshu\u201d (one thousand autumns in a day): meaning it feels like a day has lasted a thousand years. These days, with my tight and busy schedule, I wish I only had one Autumn in my day! I hope all of you are enjoying the Autumn in your day. Here at Legal Associates Office Boston, we provide… Read more<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Our<\/a><\/p>\n

Becoming a Permanent Resident (Part 1) : After 3 years of marriage with Japanese or Permanent resident spouse<\/strong><\/h3>\n

(Post date: 2022\/9\/6)
\nApplication for Permanent Residence: At Legal Associates Office Boston, we often receive inquiries from people who want to apply for permanent residence.If a foreign national who wishes to apply for permanent residence is the \u201cSpouse of a Japanese national\u201d or the \u201cSpouse of a permanent resident\u201d, has been married for at least three years, and… Read more<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Becoming<\/a><\/p>\n

What You Can Do at a Notary Public\u2019s Office<\/strong><\/h3>\n

(Post date: 2022\/8\/10)
\nWhat comes to mind when you hear \u201cnotary public\u201d? Notarization is an official fraud-deterrent process that assures the parties of a transaction that a document, and the documents\u2019 signatures, are authentic and can be trusted. The qualifications required for someone to notarize documents and signatures vary widely from country to country… Read more<\/a><\/p>\n

\"What<\/a><\/p>\n

International Marriage and Residence Status: How Divorce Affects Residence Status<\/strong><\/h3>\n

(Post date: 2022\/7\/6)
\n\u201cMarriage is the tomb of life.\u201d This quote from the French poet Baudelaire is often misunderstood as a nihilistic aphorism that views marriage as something distasteful. Recently, however, I learned that the quote originally meant that marriage was \u201ca place to be united with a loved one, to spend a lifetime together, and to end one\u2019s life.\u201d The divorce rate for international marriages in Japan is said to be over 50%. This figure indicates that a lot of patience is required for two people raised in different cultures to find shared values and remain married. In this article, I would like to write about the impact of divorce on the residence status of Japanese and non-Japanese internationally married couples…. Read more<\/a><\/p>\n

\"International<\/a><\/p>\n

Dual Citizenship and Naturalization<\/strong><\/h3>\n

(Post date: 2022\/6\/7)
\nOn June 2, a woman residing in Fukuoka Prefecture who had acquired American citizenship while practicing law in the U.S. took legal action asking the Japanese government to confirm her Japanese citizenship and invalidate its decision not to issue her a Japanese passport, claiming that \u201cnot recognizing dual citizenship is a violation of the Constitution.\u201d… Read more<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Dual<\/a><\/p>\n

Japanese Yen Depreciation and Foreign Direct Investment in Japan<\/strong><\/h3>\n

(Post date: 2022\/5\/10)
\nThe yen is depreciating in the foreign exchange market. In the past, it was said that the yen should be bought in times of contingency or crisis, but it seems that the crisis in Ukraine has not generated interest in the yen. Since I am not an expert on economics or currency exchange, I will not comment on the causes of the current yen depreciation or future market developments. Still, there is a strong view that the current dollar\/yen market trend will continue, and many pessimistic reports are floating around… Read more<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Japanese<\/a><\/p>\n

Seeking Refuge in Japan from Ukraine: Evacuee or Refugee?<\/strong><\/h3>\n

(Post date: 2022\/4\/4)
\nMy name is Masayo Boston, and I will try to fill attorney Mr. Atsushi Miyake\u2019s shoes by undertaking the writing of this column from this month. I am a certified legal professional specializing in administrative procedures (gyoseishoshi \u884c\u653f\u66f8\u58eb) here in Fukuoka. My focus is on helping foreigners with visa applications, naturalization procedures, and establishing companies in Japan. This month\u2019s topic concerns those from Ukraine seeking refuge in Japan\u2026 Read more<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Seeking<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Masayo Boston is a certified legal professional specializing in administrative procedures (gyoseishoshi \u884c\u653f\u66f8\u58eb) in Fukuoka. Her focus is on helping foreigners…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":29305,"featured_media":154906,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_locale":"en_US","_original_post":"https:\/\/www.fukuoka-now.com\/?p=145682&lang=en","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[2024,4914],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-145682","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-business","category-others","location-fukuoka-prefecture","en-US"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.fukuoka-now.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/fn_boston-feature-image_2023_WEB.jpg?fit=940%2C788&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.fukuoka-now.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/145682","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.fukuoka-now.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.fukuoka-now.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.fukuoka-now.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/29305"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.fukuoka-now.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=145682"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/www.fukuoka-now.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/145682\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":176426,"href":"https:\/\/www.fukuoka-now.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/145682\/revisions\/176426"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.fukuoka-now.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/154906"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.fukuoka-now.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=145682"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.fukuoka-now.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=145682"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.fukuoka-now.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=145682"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}