Thinking about starting a business in Japan? You might need deeper pockets soon. Japan is planning to raise the investment threshold for its popular business manager visa, which currently requires just 5 million yen (approximately $35,000) or hiring two local employees. The move comes as Chinese nationals now make up over half of visa holders, with numbers doubling since 2015.

Officials say the visa has become an easy route to permanent residency, raising concerns about misuse. Tougher immigration controls, stricter profitability checks, and higher capital requirements, like South Korea’s $219K, are being discussed.