Japan’s business visa rules have raised the minimum investment requirement for foreign entrepreneurs from ¥5 million to ¥30 million.
The new threshold equals about USD 185,000, compared with the previous requirement of about USD 30,000.
Visa holders must also employ at least one Japanese national or permanent resident. The change affects foreign small business owners who have lived and worked in Japan for years.
The rules followed public concern over overtourism and rising land prices linked to foreign investment.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has also increased tourist visa fees fivefold and departure tax threefold.
An online petition calling for the suspension of the new laws has collected more than 67,800 signatures. Opposition critics said the rules penalise genuine businesses instead of targeting scam firms.
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Administrative affairs adviser Daisuke Komori said the tighter rules were affecting small restaurant owners and young entrepreneurs.
Komori said Japan still needed immigrant labour as its ageing population placed pressure on the economy.
