Japan’s Tightening Visa Rules Spark Fears Among Chinese Residents Seeking Freedom
- Xavi
- Jun 28
- 3 min read
Updated: Jun 28
Tokyo, 28 June 2026 — Chinese nationals who moved to Japan hoping for greater personal and professional freedom are increasingly concerned that stricter visa policies could force many of them to leave the country. Critics warn the changes risk undermining Japan’s role as a safe haven and a bridge between the two Asian powers.
Among those affected is Li Jinxing, a 52-year-old human rights advocate whose law licence was revoked in China amid a broader crackdown on lawyers and democracy activists under President Xi Jinping.
"People who have lived in Japan for a long time are being pushed out," he told .
The concerns focus on Japan’s tightening of requirements for the Business Manager residence status, a visa category widely used by foreign entrepreneurs, including many Chinese business owners and professionals.
Higher Barriers for Entrepreneurs
In October 2025, Japan substantially elevated the standards for the Business Manager visa:
The minimum capital requirement for companies sponsoring the visa jumped from 5 million yen ($33,000) to 30 million yen ($197,000).
Companies must now employ at least one full-time Japanese citizen or permanent resident.
The Immigration Services Agency said the changes were needed to ensure proper screening and prevent abuse through shell companies with little actual business activity.
As of the end of June 2025, about 45,000 foreigners held Business Manager status in Japan, roughly half of them Chinese.
Li worked as a lawyer supporting disadvantaged members of Chinese society before authorities revoked his licence in 2019. He moved to Tokyo with his family in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, seeking a better educational environment for his children and greater freedom.
He later established the Tokyo Humanities Forum, which hosts lectures and reading groups and has become a hub for discussion among people advocating democratic reform in China. The family also runs a travel agency in Tokyo to maintain their visa status.
A Growing Sense of Insecurity
Some Chinese residents say they are already reconsidering their future in Japan.
A Beijing-born man in his 40s who frequents Li’s office said he moved to Japan from the United States because of what he saw as growing anti-immigrant sentiment there. He described the new employment requirement as unrealistic given Japan’s labour shortages.
If he cannot renew his visa, he worries he could eventually be forced to return to China.
"Japan seems to be following the same path as the United States," he remarked.
Another Chinese individual in his 40s from Hunan Province, who relocated to Japan with his family in 2022, chose to return to China after discovering the more stringent requirements during a visa renewal consultation last year.
He mentioned that Japan seemed to be attempting to push out individuals who had met their tax responsibilities and contributed to the economy.
"I no longer find it attractive," he said.
Experts Warn of Loss for Japanese Society
Tomoko Ako, professor in the University of Tokyo’s Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, told that Japan had become an important base for Chinese intellectuals who had lost opportunities to work freely in China.
"They are important figures who could serve as intermediaries in the often strained relationship between Japan and China," she said. "Excluding them would be extreme."
Why Many Chinese Came to Japan
The wave of Chinese migration to Japan in recent years was driven by several factors:
Political crackdowns and professional restrictions in China under President Xi Jinping
Desire for better education and future opportunities for children
Search for personal and professional freedom
Business opportunities in Japan’s developed and stable economy
Many used the Business Manager visa to establish small businesses, consultancies, travel agencies, and cultural initiatives.
Official Position
The Immigration Services Agency maintains that the changes target abuse while still welcoming genuine entrepreneurs. However, critics argue the high capital and employment thresholds disproportionately affect small business owners and activists rather than large-scale investors.
What’s Next for Affected Residents?
Many Chinese nationals and other foreigners are now considering their options, including business restructuring, alternative visa categories, relocation to other countries, or even return to China despite ongoing concerns.
The situation remains fluid, with some hoping for future adjustments as Japan balances security concerns with its economic and demographic needs.
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