Foreign Entrepreneurship Promotion Project of Gifu Prefecture

　The Foreign Entrepreneurship Promotion Project is a scheme aiming at the enhancement of the international competitiveness of Japanese industries and the establishment of bases for international economic activities.
　Foreigners who are planning to start a business in Gifu Prefecture can obtain the status of residence in Japan for a maximum of one year by participating in this scheme.

 

　Frequently Asked Questions and Answers [PDFファイル／325KB]

 

Eligible Persons

　Foreigners who intend to start new businesses in Gifu Prefecture.

Eligible Businesses

　Businesses which have a purpose of enhancing the international competitiveness of industries in Gifu Prefecture and establishing bases for international economic activities in the prefecture and which fall under any one of the following fields:

Field	Descriptions of Business
IT and IoT, etc. related field	Business improving the productivity of corporations, developing new corporate products and technologies, and creating additional corporate values by introducing and utilizing IT and IoT, etc.   Examples: manufacturing of data collection devices (sensors, etc.), robots and machine tools that automate through data analysis, systems (servers, AI, software, etc.) necessary for data linkage and analysis, or businesses that provide related services.
Tourism field	Business related to the expansion of tourism consumption in the prefecture and promotion of attracting tourists to the prefecture   Examples: tourist information services, service businesses related to travel planning and arrangements, tourist facilities operators (accommodation facilities, transportation facilities, tourist souvenir sales facilities, outdoor activity facilities, etc. which are mainly offered for use by tourists. *Restaurants are not included.).

Project Flow

Application for the Confirmation of New Business Activities

　The applicant is required to submit a Plan for New Business Activities concerning a business that the applicant intends to start in the prefecture and to be approved with the Confirmation of New Business Activities in order to obtain authorization for the status of residence for “designated activities” to conduct New Business Activities utilizing this scheme.

　The applicant who applies for the Confirmation of New Business Activities shall create, prepare and submit all the documents below. All documents must be completed in Japanese.

• Application for the Confirmation of New Business Preparation Activities (Form 1) [Word／21KB]
• Plan for New Business Preparation Activities (Form 1-3) [Word／25KB]
• Schedule for New Business Activities (Form 1-4) [Word／21KB]
• Resume of the Applicant (Form 1-5) [Word／32KB]
• Letter of Commitment (Form 1-6) [Word／21KB]
• Documents that verify the applicant’s address during the period of one year after their arrival in Japan or change in their status of residence (e.g., copy of a residential lease agreement)
• Documents that verify the applicant’s ability to cover their expenses for staying in Japan during the period of one year after their arrival in Japan of change in the status of residence (e.g., copy of applicant’s bankbook)
• Documents that are required to be submitted in the event that the applicant falls under any category listed under Article 5-6 (1) v, Section 1, a, b, or c of the Notification Concerning Foreign Entrepreneurship Promotion Project issued by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (e.g., certificate of graduation, certification of employment)
• Photocopy of the applicant’s passport (the page containing the applicant’s photo and passport number)
• Other documents required by the Governor (Please submit reference materials that confirm the applicant’s activities to start a business, if any.)

Application for the Extension of the Confirmation of New Business Activities

　In the event that an applicant will continue their new business activities after the expiration of a 6-month period of the status of residence, the applicant is required to submit a Plan for New Business Activities (for Extension) etc.and to be approved with the Confirmation of the Extension of New Business Activities.
　The applicant who applies for the Confirmation of the Extension of New Business Activities shall create, prepare and submit all the documents below. All documents must be completed in Japanese.

• Application for the Confirmation of the Extension of New Business Preparation Activities (Form 1-2) [Word／21KB]
• Plan for New Business Preparation Activities (Form 1-3) [Word／25KB]
• Schedule for New Business Activities (Form 1-4) [Word／21KB]
• Documents that verify the applicant’s address during the period of six months after the extension of the status of residence (e.g., copy of a residential lease agreement)
• Documents that verify the applicant’s ability to cover their expenses for staying in Japan during the period of six months after the extension of the status of residence (e.g., copy of applicant’s bankbook)
• Other documents required by the Governor (Please submit reference materials that confirm the applicant’s activities to start a business, if any.)

How to Submit

(1) Eligible Persons
　Application forms should be brought to the designated place by any one of the persons stated below.

　Please note that applications by mail are not accepted.

1. Applicant
2. Lawyer or a Certified Administrative Procedures Legal Specialist who is registered at the Nagoya Immigration Bureau via the Bar Association or the Certified Administrative Procedures Legal Specialists Association
3. Staff of the business office in Japan for business to be managed by an applicant
4. A person or a legal entity entrusted by an applicant for establishing a business office in Japan (in case of a legal entity, staff of the legal entity should submit the form)

* In the event that a person under the categories from 2 to 4 submits the documents, they are required to also submit documents that prove the relationship with the applicant and their status in terms of the business concerned.

(2) Submit to:
　Foreigner Employment Promotion, Industry Human Resources Division
　Department of Commerce, Labor and Industry
　Gifu Prefectural Government

　11F, 2-1-1, Yabuta-minami, Gifu City
　Open: 8:30-17:15 (excluding Saturdays, Sundays, national holidays and new year holiday)
　Tel: 058-272-8406

Confirmation of Entrepreneurial Preparatory Activities Plan

　Gifu Prefecture will confirm that the proposed preparatory activities meet the requirements set forth in Articles 6.1 and 6.2 of Public Notice 5, after hearing the opinions of persons with expertise in business startups and management.

　The requirements include, for example, whether the preparatory activities are appropriate for strengthening the international competitiveness of Gifu Prefecture's industries and creating a base for international economic activities, and whether the business plan for the preparatory activities is appropriate and trustworthy.

　The entrepreneurial preparatory activities plan must include the type and content of the business, a specific plan for starting the business, the amount of funds necessary to carry out the entrepreneurial preparatory activities, and the method of procurement.

　In the event that the applicant is found to be a member of a criminal gang, etc., as defined in Article 2, Item 3 of the Gifu Prefectural Ordinance on the Elimination of Criminal Gangs (hereinafter referred to as "gang member, etc."), the application will not be able to be accepted. In addition, if it is discovered after the application is accepted, the decision will be retroactively revoked.

Issuance of Certificate of Confirmation of Entrepreneurial Preparatory Activities

　When an application for Confirmation of Entrepreneurial Preparatory Activities is appropriate and the entrepreneurial preparatory activities in question are determined to meet all the requirements specified in article 6.1 (6.2 if renewing) of Public Notice 5 (hereinafter referred to as "the relevant requirements"), a "Certificate of Confirmation of Entrepreneurial Preparatory Activities" will be issued by the Governor of Gifu Prefecture. (Form No. 2-1 (Form No. 2-2 if renewing).

【Where to receive the certificate】

　Industry Human Resources Division, Department of Commerce, Labor and Industry, Gifu Prefectural Government

　(Gifu Prefectural Government, 11th Floor, 2-1-1 Yabuta-minami, Gifu City)

　If the application is found to be incomplete or does not meet all or part of the requirements, the Governor of Gifu Prefecture will issue a "Notice of Decision Concerning Confirmation of Entrepreneurial Preparatory Activities" (Form No. 3) by mail to inform the applicant that a "Certificate of Confirmation of Entrepreneurial Preparatory Activities" has not been issued.

Application for Issuance (Extension) of a Certificate of Eligibility and Determination of the Period of Stay

　Those who have received a "Certificate of Confirmation of Entrepreneurial Preparatory Activities" are required to apply for the issuance or extension of athe Certificate of Eligibility at the Nagoya Regional Immigration Bureau (Gifu Branch Office) within the three month validity period of the "Certificate of Confirmation of Entrepreneurial Preparatory Activities”.

　Nagoya Regional Immigration Bureau (Gifu Branch Office)

　Gifu Legal Affairs Building Annex 4F, 2-7-2 Mieji-cho, Gifu City

　Telephone number: 058-214-6168

Development of Entrepreneurial Preparatory Activities

　Those who have been granted the " Designated Activities" status must submit a "Report on Acquisition (Renewal) of "Designated Activities" Status of Residence" (Form No. 7) to Gifu Prefecture within seven days of completing the procedures for changing their status of residence if they are already residing in Japan with another status of residence, or within seven days of landing in Japan if they have not yet landed in Japan. Afterwards, they should carry out activities for the starting of their business.

【Documents to be submitted】

　Report on Acquisition (Extension) of Status of Residence Designated Activities (Form No.7) [Wordファイル／20KB]

　During the period of the activities, you will be required to meet with us about once a month to discuss the progress of your entrepreneurial preparatory activities plan. At that time, you may be asked to submit documents (*) that clarify the implementation status of the Entrepreneurial Preparatory Activities Plan.

　(*) Examples: Contracts related to renting an office or hiring employees, contracts with business partners, bank books of the applicant, etc.

Change of Status of Residence to "Business Manager”

　If you wish to continue to reside in Japan and manage a business after your "Designated Activities" status expires, please go to the Nagoya Regional Immigration Bureau (Gifu Branch Office) to change your status of residence to "Business Manager".

　If it becomes difficult for you to continue your preparatory activities for starting a business during your one-year period of stay, or if the extension of your "Business Manager" status of residence is not approved, you will be asked to return to your home country. Please secure travel expenses (equivalent to a one-way air ticket to your home country) separately from your business funds.

Changes to Application Contents

　If there are any changes to the contents details of the application after the confirmation of the entrepreneurial preparatory activities by Gifu Prefecture, please submit the following documents to the address below as soon as possible.

 (Example cases where a "Notification of Change" is required: change in the applicant's residence or contact information in Japan)

【Documents to be submitted】

　- Notification of Change（Form No. 1-7） [Wordファイル／20KB]

　- Documents confirming the change (e.g., copy of lease agreement, etc.)

Cancellation of Confirmation of Entrepreneurial Preparatory Activities

　If a person who has received a "Certificate of Confirmation of Entrepreneurial Preparatory Activities" falls under any of the following during the period from the date of issuance of the certificate to the completion of the change of status of residence to "Business Manager", the issuance of the certificate may be cancelled:

1. When it is found that the applicant has received the relevant Confirmation of Entrepreneurial Preparatory Activities by submitting a false application or other fraudulent act or a document containing untrue information has been submitted.

2. When it is found that the applicant is a member of a criminal gang, etc.

3. When the applicant does not respond to Gifu Prefecture's requests for explanations, submission of documents, or other necessary responses when confirming the progress of the entrepreneurial preparatory activities plan without justifiable reasons.

　If the Confirmation of the Entrepreneurial Preparatory Activities is cancelled, a Notice of Cancellation of the Confirmation of Entrepreneurial Preparatory Activities (Form No. 5) will be sent to the applicant, and the applicant is requested to immediately return the issued certificate.

Support for Entrepreneurial Preparatory Activities

　In order for foreign entrepreneurs to smoothly carry out preparatory activities for starting a business in the prefecture, the prefectural government provides support for the preparation of a plan for preparatory activities for starting a business, consultation services regarding starting a business, consultation services regarding daily life, and support for housing and office space. If you have any questions, please contact the following office.

Contact

Foreigner Employment Promotion, Industry Human Resources Division
Department of Commerce, Labor and Industry
Gifu Prefectural Government
Tel: 058-272-8406
FAX: 058-278-2676
E-mail：c11369@pref.gifu.lg.jp