Benton Homestead Japan

20/11/2025

Yes, we still live in Japan! But we also got Permanent Residency in Mexico! Don't worry, we're not going anywhere. Today's Video "Permanent Residency in Mexico! Yes, we still live in Japan!": https://youtu.be/akJdKB5jBdk

This is a big step in a plan that we started in 2020. Although it was inconvenient timing for a little vacation outside of Japan, we've known since 2021 that we would need to physically be in Mexico on this exact date in 2025. That's just how the process works, so it was now or never. What it means is: we can enter and exit Mexico at any time, with no future requirements or paperwork.

Believe it or not, this might help us work towards the new increased Japan Business Manager Visa requirements by 2028! We're beginning preparations to build a bridge between Mexico and Japan, and will bring Mexican food to the Shimanami Kaido islands.

はい、まだ日本に住んでいます！でも、メキシコの永住権も取得しました！心配しないでください。どこにも行きませんよ。

これは、2020年に始めた計画の大きな一歩です。日本を離れてちょっとした休暇を取るには都合の悪いタイミングではありましたが、2025年のこの日にメキシコに物理的に到着する必要があることは2021年から分かっていました。手続きの仕方がそうなので、今しかない、という状況でした。つまり、いつでもメキシコに出入国でき、今後一切の手続きや書類手続きは必要ないということです。

信じられないかもしれませんが、これは2028年までに強化される日本の経営・管理ビザ取得に向けた取り組みに役立つかもしれません！メキシコと日本をつなぐ架け橋を作る準備を始めており、しまなみ海道の島々にメキシコ料理を届ける予定です。

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Help Benton Homestead meet the new increased Japan Business Manager Visa Requirements »
https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-benton-homestead-meet-new-visa-requirements

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Subscribe » www.youtube.com/

Stay With Us » airbnb.com/h/bentonguesthouse

Shop Honey + Retro » bentonhomesteadjapan.myshopify.com/

Shop Vintage Records » discogs.com/seller/bentonhomestead/profile

Japan Real Estate Consulting » bentonhomestead.com/consulting

Photo Blogs » www.bentonhomestead.com

Support » buymeacoffee.com/bentonhomestead

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#日本 #四国 #愛媛 #今治 #大三島 #しまなみ街道

Those of you new to our channel may be surprised to hear we are briefly in Mexico. Don't worry, we're not leaving Japan! But those of you who have been follo...

30/10/2025

As you probably already know, from following our channel, or from reading the news: the official changes to Japan’s Business Manager visa have been announced. While I wanted to get this blog and video out as quickly as possible, I needed to take some time to let it sink in and formulate my thoughts.

In the few months since the rumors of visa changes started circulating, we had many folks insisting there was "no way" Japan would ever change the rules for existing visa holders, and we had "nothing to worry about". Unfortunately, that's not true. The rules of the game have changed.

New visa applicants will need to meet the new requirements right away, and existing visa holders have three years to meet the new requirements, which include increasing business "paid-in capital" by 600%. There are no exceptions for existing visa holders, or for those living in small rural communities.

Today's video: https://youtu.be/_M9OF3-LTPc

Our Business GoFundMe: https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-benton-homestead-meet-new-visa-requirements

Full Blog "Business Manager Visa: Increased Requirements (and how it affects Benton Homestead)": https://bentonhomestead.com/archives/5322

Immigration Website: https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/applications/resources/10_00237.html

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Subscribe » www.youtube.com/

Stay With Us » airbnb.com/h/bentonguesthouse

Shop Honey + Retro » bentonhomesteadjapan.myshopify.com/

Shop Vintage Records » discogs.com/seller/bentonhomestead/profile

Japan Real Estate Consulting » bentonhomestead.com/consulting

Photo Blogs » www.bentonhomestead.com

Support » buymeacoffee.com/bentonhomestead

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#日本 #四国 #愛媛 #今治 #大三島 #しまなみ街道

26/10/2025

As you know, there's been some major changes with the Business Manager visa. Since the news was first announced a few months ago, our life in Japan has been uncertain. We did not know if our latest visa renewal would be for 0 years, 1 year, 3 years, or 5 years. I'm happy to say that Benton Homestead has been given 1 more year of residency! 🤗

However, we are at the beginning of a new and different uphill battle. Existing visa holders have until October 2028 to meet the new increased requirements, in order to continue living in Japan:

Our small business capital needs to increase from the former ¥5 million ($35,000) to the new ¥30 million ($200,000). This will take a lot of work and some adjustments to our business plan. We will also need to hire a full-time employee (Japanese or permanent resident). Thankfully, we already meet the new language and work experience requirements, among others.

So, friends and neighbors, if we seem a little stressed or tired, please know that we are working very hard to ensure our future on Ōmishima. We love this community, and hope to continue to call this island our home 🏝️

ご存知の通り、経営・管理ビザに関して大きな変更がありました。数ヶ月前にこのニュースが発表されて以来、私たちの日本での生活は不確かなものとなっていました。今回のビザ更新が0年、1年、3年、あるいは5年になるのか全く分からなかったのです。幸いなことに、ベントン・ホームステッドはさらに1年間の在留資格をいただけることになりました！ 🤗

しかしながら、私たちはこれから新たな、そして困難な課題に直面することになります。既存のビザ保持者は、日本に住み続けるためには、2028年10月までに新しい、より厳しくなった要件を満たす必要があります。

私たちの小規模事業の資本金は、以前の500万円から3000万円に増額しなければなりません。これは大変な作業であり、事業計画にもいくつかの変更が必要になります。また、正社員（日本人または永住者）を1名雇用する必要もあります。幸いなことに、語学力と職務経験に関する新しい要件は既に​​満たしています。

ですから、友人や近隣の皆様、もし私たちが少しストレスを感じていたり、疲れているように見えたとしても、どうかご理解ください。私たちは大三島での未来を確保するために、一生懸命努力しているところです。私たちはこの地域を愛しており、これからもこの島を私たちの故郷と呼び続けたいと願っています 🏝️

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Subscribe » www.youtube.com/

Stay With Us » airbnb.com/h/bentonguesthouse

Shop Honey + Retro » bentonhomesteadjapan.myshopify.com/

Shop Vintage Records » discogs.com/seller/bentonhomestead/profile

Japan Real Estate Consulting » bentonhomestead.com/consulting

Photo Blogs » www.bentonhomestead.com

Support » buymeacoffee.com/bentonhomestead

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#日本 #四国 #愛媛 #今治 #大三島 #しまなみ街道

11/10/2025

Japan's official guidelines for the new Business Manager visa were released, along with some information as to how (and when) it will affect current visa holders. We're taking some time to process the information, as this will in fact affect Benton Homestead. However, we still have hopes that we can work very hard to meet the new requirements within the given timeframe. We will need to make a massive increase to our business capital investment, along with hiring a full-time employee (Japanese national or permanent resident). Thankfully, we already meet the other new requirements (language, work experience, etc.).

We're also feeling hopeful that our current visa renewal will proceed smoothly, which was submitted last week. I'd like to receive the current renewal results before really digging in to our new course of action. We'll be in touch soon. I'll take a few days to absorb the news. Of course, this month's livestream will once again be about the Business Manager visa changes!

Official announcement, here:

〒100-8973　東京都千代田区霞が関1-1-1　中央合同庁舎６号館 ℡045-370-9755（代表） （法人番号：7000012030004） ※一般の方からの出入（帰）国記録、外国人登録原票等の開示請求についてのお問合せは総務課出入国情報開示係 ℡...

07/10/2025

It's hard to believe we've been living on Ōmishima for nearly 3 years! 32 months have been spent right here on the island, building our life and business 🏝️

Everyone knows that Evan speaks Japanese well (JLPT level N2). But I (Dani) have been struggling to learn. Mostly, I work all day every day, and cannot find time to practice. But that needs to change.

Last week, my friends invited me out for a coffee date. Between the three of us, we speak English, Japanese, and Chinese. It was nice to be invited by myself, without my "translator" Evan 😆

Thank you, ladies 💐✨

大三島に住んでもう3年近くになるなんて信じられません！32ヶ月間、この島で生活とビジネスを築き上げてきました🏝️

エバンが日本語を流暢に話せる（JLPT N2レベル）ことは誰もが知っています。でも、私（ダニ）はなかなか日本語を勉強できずに苦労しています。ほとんど毎日一日中仕事をしていて、練習する時間を見つけることができません。でも、この状況を変えなければなりません。

先週、友達にコーヒーに誘われました。私たち3人は英語、日本語、中国語を話します。「通訳」のエバンなしで、自分自身に招待されてよかったです 😆

素敵な女性たち、ありがとう 💐✨

30/09/2025

Thank you to our local farmers and friends! The best way to learn about farming is to volunteer. This year, we got hands-on experience with rice planting (my favorite!), rice harvest, and grape harvest! I look forward to helping more next year 🍇🌾

私たちは、田植え（一番楽しかった！）、稲刈り、そしてブドウの収穫といった作業を実際に体験することができました。来年もまたボランティアとして参加できることを楽しみにしています！🍇🌾

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Subscribe » www.youtube.com/

Stay With Us » airbnb.com/h/bentonguesthouse

Shop Honey + Retro » bentonhomesteadjapan.myshopify.com/

Shop Vintage Records » discogs.com/seller/bentonhomestead/profile

Japan Real Estate Consulting » bentonhomestead.com/consulting

Photo Blogs » www.bentonhomestead.com

Support » buymeacoffee.com/bentonhomestead

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#日本 #四国 #愛媛 #今治 #大三島 #しまなみ街道

25/09/2025

Come along with us to our first honey tasting events! It's fun to explain the differences between our honey flavors, and answer questions. Everyone is surprised at the taste difference between the 🍊 'mikan' citrus honey and the 🌼 'hyakkamitsu' wildflower honey. Thank you for helping us work towards our Business Manager visa goals: https://youtu.be/eE2XXAuU4z0

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Subscribe » www.youtube.com/

Stay With Us » airbnb.com/h/bentonguesthouse

Shop Honey + Retro » bentonhomesteadjapan.myshopify.com/

Shop Vintage Records » discogs.com/seller/bentonhomestead/profile

Japan Real Estate Consulting » bentonhomestead.com/consulting

Photo Blogs » www.bentonhomestead.com

Support » buymeacoffee.com/bentonhomestead

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#日本 #四国 #愛媛 #今治 #大三島 #しまなみ街道

Come along with us to our first honey tasting events! Did we have a better response to Mexican-style horchata this time, since we included a photo and explan...

24/09/2025

Thank you to the Ōmishima community for the warm welcome, during our recent honey tasting events! 🍯✨

First, we were very happy to be invited as a vendor for . It's a wonderful annual event, that seems to be growing each year. We made some new friends. Thank you to the staff, volunteers, and everyone who enjoyed our Mexican horchata. _maybe next year... tacos? 🌮

Also, we loved hosting honey tasting events at Tatara Michinoeki 🐝 We get to see local folks, as well as many tourists from all over Japan, and the world. It's fun to explain the differences between our honey flavors, and answer questions. Everyone is surprised at the taste difference between the 🍊 'mikan' citrus honey and the 🌼 'hyakkamitsu' wildflower honey!

These events help us work towards our business plan goals. Since we live here via the Business Manager visa, our life in Japan depends on meeting goals. During these community events, we sold a total of 88 jars of honey and 20 horchata beverages. Thank you!

Photo credit goes to and 🙇‍♀️

先日開催したハチミツ試食会では、大三島の皆様に温かいおもてなしをいただき、ありがとうございました！🍯✨

まず、 に出店者としてお招きいただき、大変嬉しく思っております。毎年恒例の素晴らしいイベントで、毎年規模が拡大しているように感じます。新しい友達もできました。スタッフの皆様、ボランティアの皆様、そしてメキシコのオルチャタを楽しんでくださった皆様、ありがとうございました。来年はタコスかな？ 🌮

また、道の駅多々良でハチミツ試食会を開催できたのも嬉しかったです 🐝 地元の方々だけでなく、日本全国、そして世界中から多くの観光客の方々にお会いすることができ、大変嬉しく思っています。ハチミツの味の違いを説明したり、質問に答えたりするのは楽しい時間です。🍊「みかん」と 🌼「百花蜜」の味の違いに、皆様驚かれていました！

これらのイベントは、私たちの事業計画の目標達成に役立っています。私たちは経営・管理ビザで日本に住んでいるので、日本での生活は目標達成にかかっています。これらのコミュニティイベントでは、合計88個の蜂蜜瓶と20本のオルチャタドリンクを販売しました。ありがとうございます！

写真提供： と 🙇‍♀️

19/09/2025

Reminder about the public comment period: If you're inclined to submit your opinion regarding the upcoming changes to the Startup and Business Manager visa, you have until September 24!

The requirements to submit your opinion are: must be written in Japanese, stay on topic, and include your name and contact information. You do not have to be Japanese or a visa holder to submit an informed opinion. They specified that both individuals and businesses can submit comments online. If you plan to submit an opinion, please word your response thoughtfully. The website is here: https://public-comment.e-gov.go.jp/pcm/detail?classnameE=PCMMSTDETAIL&Mode=0&id=315000115

As an example, our friend and island neighbor has agreed to let us share his statement:

"I am writing to submit a public comment regarding the proposed amendment to the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act (Article 7, Paragraph 1, Item 2), specifically the revisions related to the Business Manager visa.

Although I am not a visa holder myself, I have a longstanding connection to Japan. I am a Danish citizen and have been a resident of Thailand for many years. I am the owner of a company that manufactures bicycle components and have maintained a commercial relationship with a Japanese distributor since 2012. In 2023, I purchased a house on Hakatajima in Ehime Prefecture, where I now spend extended periods as a holiday resident. My interest in this issue arises from personal investment, regional ties, and concern for others who are directly affected.

Among them are my friends Dani and Evan Benton, who together have built and operate Benton’s Guesthouse on Omishima, the neighboring island. Evan is the holder of a Business Manager visa, and is one of only 51 such visa holders in all of Ehime Prefecture. He began on a Startup visa issued by Imabari City in 2022 and transitioned to the Business Manager visa in 2023. Over the past three years, Evan and Dani have invested heavily, not only financially but also socially, in their business and local community. They have contributed meaningfully to the island’s economy and social fabric.

Under the proposed changes, including an increase in required capital from 5 million yen to 30 million yen and a requirement to employ full-time Japanese staff, Evan would not qualify to remain. According to available figures, 96 percent of current Business Manager visa holders in Japan would similarly be unable to meet these conditions. This is not a matter of administrative adjustment. It is a threat to the livelihoods and stability of nearly all small-scale foreign entrepreneurs who followed the rules and invested in Japan in good faith.

My strongest objection lies with the apparent intention to apply these new rules retroactively. Individuals like Evan, who fulfilled all requirements at the time of entry and worked hard to establish a legal business, would now be penalized for conditions they could never have anticipated. Such policy changes would not only displace individuals, but fundamentally damage trust in Japan’s legal and regulatory consistency.

The proposed changes will disproportionately harm rural areas like Omishima and Hakatajima. These are not speculative investments. They are community-based enterprises operating in line with the government's own goals of rural revitalization. The businesses at risk are not large corporations. They are guesthouses, cafes, small workshops and tourism initiatives, often run by one or two individuals with limited financial means. Requiring them to meet corporate-scale capital and employment benchmarks will simply eliminate them.

Japan also stands to suffer long-term reputational harm. If regulations can be changed and applied retroactively, without protection for those already in compliance, then Japan will no longer be seen as a trustworthy destination for small foreign investors or entrepreneurs. Even if such policies are later reversed, the trust once lost will not be easily regained.

If the government wishes to raise entry standards for future applicants, that is a sovereign right. However, retroactive enforcement must not be part of that change. A grace period is not a solution, because these businesses cannot meet the new criteria no matter how much time they are given. The only fair and lawful solution is to grandfather existing Business Manager visa holders and those currently in the Startup visa pipeline under the conditions that were in place at the time of their entry.

I respectfully urge the government to reconsider the retroactive application of these reforms. Japan has long benefited from its reputation as a rules-based society. This change, if applied to current visa holders, would do irreversible harm to that reputation and to the lives of thousands of small business owners who believed in Japan and contributed to its future."

Thank you for letting us share your opinion as an example!

16/09/2025

Before we know it, Benton Guesthouse will have been open for two years! 🍁 With lovely autumn weather almost here, that means our guesthouse is swinging back into high gear (cycling pun intended) 🚴 We'll welcome over 130 guests in September and October 🙇

With 155+ reviews, we're thankful to maintain high ratings. We work hard to help each guest have the best Shimanami Kaido experience.

✨ Google Maps 5/5
✨ AirBnB 4.91/5
✨ Booking 9.8/10

Dani personally greets each guest, to show them the functionality of a traditional Japanese house. About 75% are inbound tourists who haven't experienced Japan outside of the big cities before. So we act as guides to the 'inaka' and the local area.

We intentionally chose to not offer meals. Instead, we help almost all of our guests make dinner reservations at one of the island restaurants. This is our way of supporting our friends and neighboring small businesses!

Our guests visit from all over the world: Japan, Germany, France, Korea, Switzerland, Denmark, Lithuania, Italy, Spain, The UK, Australia, New Zealand, Czech Republic, Poland, China, The Netherlands, Norway, Belgium, Turkey, Singapore, Mexico, Canada, United States. So reviews are written in many different languages.

The most popular comments from Japanese guests are: "Natsukashii!" and "This feels just like my grandmother's house" 💗 Many reviews mention our retro Famicom 🕹 We hope your visit is like taking a step back in time, where you will make comfortable countryside memories.

あっという間に、ベントンゲストハウスは開店2周年を迎えます！ 🍁 もうすぐ素敵な秋がやってきます。ゲストハウスも本格的に始動します（サイクリングのダジャレです！）🚴 9月と10月は130名以上のお客様をお迎えする予定です。

155件以上のレビュー：
✨ Googleマップ 5/5
✨ AirBnB 4.91/5
✨ Booking 9.8/10

ダニがお客様一人ひとりに親身になってお迎えし、伝統的な日本家屋の使い勝手をご案内しています。ゲストの約75%は、大都市以外で日本を訪れたことのないインバウンド観光客です。そこで私たちは、「田舎」や地域へのガイド役を務めています。

あえて食事は提供していません。その代わりに、ほぼすべてのゲストに島内のレストランでの夕食の予約をお手伝いしています。これは、私たちの友人や近隣の小さなお店を応援する私たちの方法です！

世界中からお客様がいらっしゃるため、レビューは様々な言語で書かれています。

日本のお客様から最も多く寄せられたコメントは、「懐かしい！」と「まるで祖母の家みたい」です💗 レトロなファミコンについてのレビューがとても多く寄せられています🕹 まるでタイムスリップしたような気分になり、田舎の心地よい思い出を作っていただければ幸いです。

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Subscribe » www.youtube.com/

Stay With Us » airbnb.com/h/bentonguesthouse

Shop Honey + Retro » bentonhomesteadjapan.myshopify.com/

Shop Vintage Records » discogs.com/seller/bentonhomestead/profile

Japan Real Estate Consulting » bentonhomestead.com/consulting

Photo Blogs » www.bentonhomestead.com

Support » buymeacoffee.com/bentonhomestead

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#日本 #四国 #愛媛 #今治 #大三島 #しまなみ街道

08/09/2025

Thank you to the Ōmishima community for inviting us to be involved in local events. Here are some fun activities in September!

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Honey Sample Tasting:
🍊 'mikan' citrus honey
🌼 mixed wildflower honey

When:
Saturday, September 13 & Tuesday, September 23. 11:00-15:00.

Where:
👩‍🌾 Michi no Eki by Tatara Bridge

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Shimanami Film Fest
Ōmishima Market:
🍊 'mikan' citrus honey
🌼 mixed wildflower honey
🥛 'horchata' beverage

Horchata is a Mexican-style cinnamon rice drink; cool and refreshing on a hot summer day!

When:
Sunday, September 21. 10:00-16:00.

Where:
⛵️ Ōmishima Market at Miyaura Port

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Monthly Children's English Event:
📚 Read children's books
✏️ Monthly mini game
🪕 Singalong song

When:
Saturday, September 27. 13:30-14:00.

Where:
🏛️ Ōmishima Public Library

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#日本 #四国 #愛媛 #今治 #大三島 #しまなみ街道

04/09/2025

大三島の皆さま、こんにちは。日本のニュースで経営・管理ビザについてご覧になった方もいらっしゃるかもしれません。最近、このビザの不正利用や、それに伴うビザ要件の改定について多くの記事が出ています。

しかし、ご存知ないかもしれませんことは、これは既に経営・管理ビザで日本に住んでいる方（私たちと言えば）にも影響を及ぼします。ベントン家にとって、非常にストレスが多く、不安定な時期です。

2022年に今治市からスタートアップビザし、その後2023年と2024年に経営・管理ビザを取得しましたが、新事業に500万円の投資が必要でした。事業、生活、そしてここ大三島のコミュニティに、それ以上の金額を投資してきました。私たちはこの地に根を下ろすために、3年間ほぼ毎日働いてきました。ずっと大三島に住み、この素晴らしい島の一員であり続けたいと願っています。

厳格化された経営・管理ビザの要件には、最低資本金が6倍の3,000万円に引き上げられることや、日本人の常勤従業員1名の雇用が求められる可能性があります。現時点では、私たちとしてはほぼ不可能でしょう。現在、経営・管理ビザ保有者のうち、事業に3,000万円を投資している人はわずか4%です。96%の人が厳格化された要件を満たせないリスクがあり、結果として日本に居住し続けることができなくなる可能性があります。

もちろん、外国人が経営・管理ビザを悪用することは望ましくなく、日本政府には審査の厳格化を求めます。しかし、この改定は、ベントン・ホームステッドのような地方の小規模事業者に不均衡な影響を与える可能性があります。日本には約4万人の経営・管理ビザ保有者がいますが、そのうち愛媛県にはわずか51人しかいません。

9月24日までパブリック・コメントが行われています。日本人住民は、ウェブサイトを通じてビザの改定案について意見を表明することができます。日本政府が、特にベントン・ホームステッドのような地方の小規模事業者を含め、個々のケースを個別に検討してくれることを期待します。ご意見をお寄せいただけますでしょうか。

E-Gov: https://public-comment.e-gov.go.jp/pcm/detail?classnameE=PCMMSTDETAIL&Mode=0&id=315000115

English Translation: Hello, friends and neighbors on Ōmishima. You may have read about the Business Manager visa in Japanese news. There have been many articles recently discussing some abuse of the visa, and the subsequent changes to the visa requirements.

However, what you might not know is: this will also affect those of us (like myself) who are already living in Japan via the Business Manager visa. It is a very stressful and uncertain time for the Bentons.

When I acquired the Startup visa via Imabari city in 2022, then successfully graduated to the Business Manager visa in 2023 and 2024, I was required to invest ¥5 million into my new Japanese business. I've invested much more than that, into my business, my life, and the community here on Ōmishima. We've worked nearly every day for three years to plant our roots here. We want to live on Ōmishima forever, and continue to be a part of this wonderful island.

The new Business Manager visa requirements might include increasing the minimum capital investment six-fold to ¥30 million, and also require one full-time Japanese employee. For me, that would almost certainly be impossible, at this point in time. Only 4% of current Business Manager visa holders have ¥30 million invested in their business. 96% are at risk of not meeting the new visa requirements, and therefore, might not be able to continue living in Japan.

Of course, we do not want foreign people to abuse the Business Manager visa, and we encourage Japan to tighten scrutiny. But this change could disproportionately affect small rural businesses, like Benton Homestead. There are approximately 40,000 Business Manager visa holders in Japan. Only 51 of those are in Ehime prefecture.

There is a public opinion period until September 24. Japanese residents may voice their opinion about the proposed visa changes via a website. It is my hope that Japan will consider each case individually, particularly small rural businesses like Benton Homestead. Will you consider submitting your opinion?

E-Gov: https://public-comment.e-gov.go.jp/pcm/detail?classnameE=PCMMSTDETAIL&Mode=0&id=315000115

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