No worries, I haven’t thrown in the towel, I’m still here – although my current mood fluctuates heavily between abject despair and “I’ll show y’all!”.
I guess the most pressing need to make more money to at least try and show immigration that I’m, well, trying. I’ve heard that the foreign business managers of Kyoto are planning measures – whatever they may look like – and it seems that even international media has gotten wind of the issue. And since they aren’t beating about the bush, why should I?
The reason for the new law regarding the business manager visa is twofold. First, there is a growing anti-foreigner sentiment in Japan. It might be an expression of a worldwide political shift towards the right, or the fact that Japan has seen (too?) many tourists who behave, let’s say: less than respectfully towards their host country. Sadly, this kind of behaviour affects the tourists less than the foreign residents – and Western people especially are easy to make out in the crowds.
The second reason is, to put it bluntly: Chinese business owners in Japan. Rumour has it that (too?) many of them aren’t managing their business, but instead applying for benefits from the government. Now, as a resident you are entitled to do that, and also, any business can have ups and downs. I’ve been there.
However, it seems that this behaviour has gotten out of hand in certain circles and the government is trying their best to stop it. And since they don’t want to be seen as racist, well, all the other foreign business managers have to pay the price.
Personally, I’m on the government’s side here, strange as it sounds. When I first went abroad to the Netherlands, I received a large sticker in my passport which said something like: “A full recourse to government welfare may have consequences for your residency permit.” That’s perfectly fine. What I am wondering about is why the Japanese government/immigration does not simply revoke the residency permit of such people, or at least deny the next renewal.
I think what will break most foreign-run businesses’ necks is the new capital requirement of 30 million yen, that’s six times the current one. (Fixed assets like buildings or machines etc. do count.) Even businesses that are doing well will have problems raising so much capital, lest in 3 years to boot.
Just to illustrate what that number really means: it’s the price of a new house or apartment in a relatively good neighborhood in Kyoto. And: you’ll have to pay in cash within 3 years. I’m guessing that the vast majority of Japanese business holders wouldn’t be able to do that. Especially Kyoto is dotted with lots of small and medium-sized companies.
Anyway, here I am, with changing moods and hoping for the best – and a change of mind of the government. Giving the global political mood, I’d say the latter is not very likely.