The Japanese government is set to tighten the requirements for foreign nationals seeking the "business manager" residency status, commonly known as the business management visa. The Immigration Services Agency plans to raise the minimum capital requirement from the current ¥5 million (approximately $35,000) to ¥30 million (around $200,000), with the new rules expected to take effect in mid-October 2025. This move aims to address concerns about the misuse of the visa by individuals exploiting it as an easy way to settle long-term in Japan, including through paper companies. Additionally, applicants will be required to have permanent staff, further tightening the criteria. Alongside these visa changes, the government will also enforce stricter regulations on the conversion of foreign driving licenses to Japanese licenses, effective October 1, 2025. The revised rules mandate the submission of a resident certificate, excluding short-term visitors such as tourists from the license conversion process. These policy adjustments come amid a rapid increase in the foreign resident population in Japan, prompting the government to establish a team to study the broader social and economic impacts of this demographic change. The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare reported that 69% of businesses employing foreign workers cited labor shortages as the primary reason. The government is also preparing a fundamental review of immigration policies to prevent social division between citizens and immigrants.