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Guidelines for the Program to Promote Startups by Foreign Nationals in the Aichi Prefecture National Strategic Special Zone
1.Program Objective
This program aims to promote business startup activities by foreign nationals in Aichi Prefecture. It will make it possible for foreign nationals who fulfill standards as prospective startups to enter Japan through procedures taken by the Aichi Prefectural Government (hereinafter “APG”). These will include confirmation that the business plans for startup activities are appropriate and reliable.
2.Eligibility
Foreign nationals who are starting a new business in Aichi Prefecture
※Foreign nationals that are already residing in Japan under a different status of residence except for a "Student" may not use this program.
If you attempt to start a new business, you may be able to utilize some measures promoting your startup activity. The list of measures (Startup Visa Programs) in Aichi is below.
3.Procedures
(1)Application for confirmation of business startup activities
(A) Documents to be submitted
In accordance with the Rules of the Implementation of the Program to Promote Startups by Foreign Nationals in the Aichi Prefecture National Strategic Special Zone (hereinafter “Rules”), submit the following documents to the APG for confirmation.
<Documents to be submitted>
(1)Application for Confirmation of Business Startup Activities (Form 1 of the Rules)
(2) Plan for Business Startup Activities (Form 1-2 of the Rules)
(3)Schedule Business Startup Activities (Form 1-3 of the Rules)
(4)Applicant's resume/CV (Form 1-4 of the Rules)
(5)Written oath (Form 1-5 of the Rules)
(6)Document that can clarify where the applicant will be residing for 6 months after coming to Japan
(As for the applicant who has a "Student" visa, document that can clarify where they will be residing for 6 months after authorized to change of status of residence is required.)
(e.g. copy of lease contract application)
(7) Copy of applicant’s passport
(8) Other necessary documents
(e.g. document that shows the amount of the applicant’s cash savings such as a copy of the applicant’s bank book)
※Forms (1)-(5) can be downloaded from the APG links at the bottom
Documents to be submitted should be submitted electronically or by persons that fall under either of the following (★) to the application desk. Please note that application documents will not be accepted by mail or other methods.
【 (★) Persons that may submit application documents】
(1) The applicant himself/herself
(2) An attorney or administrative scrivener who has notified the Nagoya Regional Immigration Services Bureau which has jurisdiction over the area where the bar association or administrative scrivener association to which the attorney or administrative scrivener belongs is located. However, if the applicant is located in a foreign country, this shall be a person (or staff member, in the case of a corporation) that has been entrusted by the applicant with the establishment of a business entity in Japan.
※If the application documents will be submitted by persons described in (2), please submit documentation that proves relationship with the foreign national.
(B) Application Process
(a)Application Confirmation
Please send your application to the following e-mail address so that we can verify
the contents before application.
E-mail: kinyu@pref.aichi.lg.jp
Send to:Enterprise Finance Division, Enterprise Department, Bureau of Economy
and Industry
(b)How to submit application
Please submit your application through the Aichi Electronic Application
and Notification System.(Japanese only)
https://www.shinsei.e-aichi.jp/pref-aichi-u/offer/offerList_detail.action?tempSeq=70069
(C) Confirmation of plans for business startup activities
Upon hearing the opinions of persons having insights into business management, the APG will confirm whether the business startup activities applied for fulfill the conditions provided in (a) to (d) of Item of Article 22 of the Order for Enforcement of the National Strategic Special Zone Act (hereinafter “Enforcement Order”).
For example, the APG will check and confirm whether the business startup activities are appropriate for strengthening the international competitiveness of industries and forming a hub for international economic activities in the national strategic zone. Also, whether the business plans for startup activities are appropriate and reliable, upon hearing the opinions of small and medium enterprise management consultants.
The type and content of the business, detailed plan to begin business operation, the total amount of funds for startup activities, and sources and methods of financing, shall be written in the Planning Document of Business Startup Activities, so please prepare it in accordance with the format.
If the applicant is found to be a member of an organized crime group or to have relations with members of organized crime groups as defined in Item (iii) of Article 2 of Aichi Prefectural Organized Crime Group Exclusion Regulation, the application cannot be accepted. If this becomes known after the application has been accepted, the application will be retroactively rescinded.
(2)Issuance of a “Certificate of Confirmation of Business Start-up Activities”
When application for confirmation of business startup activities is appropriate and the activities fulfill the all conditions provided in (a) to (d) of Item of Article 22 of the Enforcement Order (hereinafter “the conditions”), the Governor of Aichi Prefecture will issue a “Certificate of Confirmation of Business Startup Activities” (Form 2 of the Rules).
Enterprise Finance Division, APG
Address: Enterprise Finance Division, Enterprise Department, Bureau of Economy and Industry, 1F Main Building, Aichi Prefectural Government, 3-1-2 Sannomaru, Naka-ku, Nagoya, Aichi 460-8501 Japan
When it is determined that the application for issuance of the certificate is not in order or that it does not satisfy all of the conditions, the Governor of Aichi Prefecture will issue (by post) a “Notification on the results of the confirmation of business startup activities” (Form 3 of the Rules) and notify the applicant that the certificate will not be issued.
(3)Application for a Certificate of Eligibility for Resident Status and decision on the period of stay
When a “Certificate of Confirmation of Business Startup Activities” has been issued, the applicant should apply to the Nagoya Regional Immigration Services Bureau for issuance of a Certificate of Eligibility for Resident Status within the 3 months that the “Certificate of Confirmation of Business Startup Activities” is valid.
(4)Implementation of startup activities
Applicants who received authorization for eligibility for resident status as a “Business Manager” should submit a “Notification of Landing” (Form 7 of the Rules) to the APG within 5 days of landing and undertake business startup activities during the 6 months of the period of stay.
(Applicants who authorized to change of status of residence from a "Student" to a "Business Manager" should submit a “Notification of Authorized to change of status of residence” (Form 8 of the Rules) to the APG within 5 days of being authorized to change of status of residence.)
During this period, you will be subject to an interview regarding the progress of your startup plans about once every 2 months. In these interviews, you may be requested to submit documents showing how the implementation of your business startup activities is going*.
* Contracts concerning office rental and/or employment of staff, contracts with business partners, personal bank book, etc.
(5)Renewal of period of stay
Please undertake procedures at the Nagoya Regional Immigration Services Bureau to renew your period of stay if you plan to remain in Japan to manage the business after the initial period of 6 months.
It should be noted that during the period of stay of the initial period of 6 months, if it becomes difficult to continue business startup activities or the renewal of your period of stay as a “Business Manager” is not approved, you will be requested to return to your home country. Please secure traveling expenses for returning to your home country (equivalent to a one-way ticket to your home country) separately from business funds.
4.Change in application contents
If there is any change to the contents of the application for the Confirmation of Business Start-up Activities after it has been submitted to the APG, please submit the following documents to the application desk without delay.
<Documents to be submitted>
(1) Notice of changed matters (Form 1-6 of the Rules)
(2)Documents to confirm the change (e.g. latest version of documents that were initially submitted)
<Examples of cases of change to the contents of the Application for Confirmation of Business Startup Activities>
・Change in an applicant’s address and contact information in Japan
5.Rescission of Confirmation of Business Startup Activities
If during the period between the day of the issuance of the “Certificate of Confirmation of Business Startup Activities” and the conclusion of procedures to renew the Eligibility for Residence Status as “Business Manager,” any of the following applies, issuance of the certificate may be revoked.
(1)In care it is found that the said confirmation was issued upon a false application or other fraudulent acts, such as submission of documents with false statements.
(2)In case the applicant is found to be a member of an organized crime group or to have relations with members of organized crime groups.
(3)When the person does not, without justifiable reason, comply to requests for explanation, submission of documents, or other necessary requests during the interviews regarding confirmation of progress made in startup activities.
Please note that the certificate should be returned immediately if the confirmation of business startup activities is revoked and a “Notification of revocation of confirmation of business startup activities” (Form 5 of the Rules) is issued.
6.Exception as for Applicants Who are Starting a New Business in the Coworking Space
In virtue of this exception, applicants are permitted to conduct a business in the coworking space registered by the APG for maximum of 1 year from the initial extension of status of visa.
Procedure of the application
Please submit the following documents to the APG during 6 months business startup activities.
(1)Application for Confirmation for move-in the coworking space registered by the APG (Form 9 of the Rules)
(2)Certificate of the lease period of coworking space registered by the APG
Certificate of the lease period of coworking space [Wordファイル/20KB]
(3)Transcript of registration certificate of the applicant's corporation established in Aichi OR Transcript of notification of opening one's business
When the application is appropriate, the Governor of Aichi Prefecture will issue a “Certificate of Confirmation for move-in the coworking space registered by the APG” (Form 10 of the Rules).
3.Please submit the “Certificate of Confirmation for move-in the coworking space registered by the APG” to the Nagoya Regional Immigration Services Bureau when you renew your period of stay after the lapse of the initial period of 6 months.
You will be subject to an interview about once every 2 months while you are in the coworking space.
▼Please visit the following website when you search for the coworking spaces registered by the APG.
Exception as for Applicants Who are Starting a New Business in the Coworking Space
Forms available for download
● Application for Confirmation of Business Startup Activities (Form 1 of the Rules) [Wordファイル/20KB]
● Planning Document of Business Startup Activities (Form 1-2 of the Rules) [Wordファイル/24KB]
● Process Sheet of Business Startup Activities (Form 1-3 of the Rules) [Wordファイル/19KB]
● Resume of the applicant (Form 1-4 of the Rules) [Wordファイル/33KB]
● Written oath (Form 1-5 of the Rules) [Wordファイル/20KB]
● Notice of changed matters (Form 1-6 of the Rules) [Wordファイル/19KB]
● Notification of Landing (Form 7 of the Rules) [Wordファイル/19KB]
● Notification of Authorized to change of status of residence (Form 8 of the Rules) [Wordファイル/19KB]
【Reference materials】
Contact
If you have any questions, feel free to contact us. Please inform us by an email in advance when you try to apply for this program.
Address: Enterprise Finance Division, Enterprise Department,
Bureau of Economy and Industry, 1F Main Building,
Aichi Prefectural Government,
3-1-2 Sannomaru, Naka-ku, Nagoya, Aichi 460-8501 Japan
E-mail: kinyu@pref.aichi.lg.jp
Phone: 052-954-6334