Franchise Business in Japan for Foreigners: A Practical Guide

Starting a franchise business in Japan for foreigners has become an increasingly realistic option for those who wish to live and work in Japan but are unsure what type of business to start.

Compared to launching an independent startup, a franchise offers a more structured path. For foreign entrepreneurs, this structure is especially important when applying for a Business Manager Visa in Japan, as immigration authorities carefully review the feasibility and stability of the business plan.

We often see applicants struggle not because of motivation, but because they lack a clear business model or operational experience. A well-designed Japan franchise opportunity for foreigners can address both concerns.

Why Franchises Are Suitable for Foreign Entrepreneurs in Japan

For those looking to start a business in Japan as a foreigner, franchises offer several advantages:

• A proven business model with existing operational data

• Clear revenue structure suitable for visa screening

• Standardized operations that reduce language and experience barriers

• Ongoing support from the franchisor

These factors make franchises a strong option for foreign entrepreneurs starting a business in Japan, particularly for applicants without prior experience in the Japanese market.

From a visa perspective, franchises are often easier to align with Business Manager visa requirements in Japan, as long as the business plan is realistic and the operational structure is clearly defined.

Key Points When Choosing a Franchise in Japan

For foreign nationals planning to start a franchise business in Japan, selecting the right franchise model is not only a commercial decision, but also a legal and immigration-related one.

When advising clients on how to start a franchise in Japan, we emphasize the following points:

1．Can Objectively Explain the “Substance” and “Continuity” of the Business

Even if you operate under a franchise model, running a business in Japan requires being able to clearly explain what kind of business you are actually conducting and how it generates income, from an objective, third-party perspective.

Key points to consider include:

• Where the actual store or business location is

• Whether daily business activities can be explained concretely

• Whether the business is structured as a continuous and sustainable operation, not a temporary activity

These factors are important not only for immigration screening, but also when dealing with banks, business partners, and other institutions.

2．Does the Company Registration Match the Actual Business Activity?

The Articles of Incorporation and stated business purposes created at the time of company formation must be consistent with the franchise business you plan to operate.

Important points to check:

• Are the business purposes too vague or abstract?

• Do they accurately reflect the franchise’s industry and business model?

• Do they allow for reasonable future business expansion?

In practice, we often see cases where insufficient planning at this stage leads to the need for costly and time-consuming revisions later.

3.Have All Required Licenses and Notifications Been Properly Identified?

Depending on the type of franchise, additional licenses or notifications may be required beyond company registration.

For example:

• Secondhand dealer license

• Food-related permits and notifications

• Facility and equipment compliance requirements

It is important not to assume that “because it is a franchise, everything is already covered.”

Regulatory requirements should be carefully reviewed in advance.

4.Confirming the Franchisor’s Support System

When starting a franchise business, especially for those without prior industry experience, the level of support provided by the franchisor has a significant impact on business stability.

Key points to review include:

• Whether pre-opening training covers the practical skills needed for daily operations

• Whether ongoing guidance and consultation are available after opening

• Whether procedures for handling problems or unexpected situations are clearly defined

In franchise agreements, the division of responsibilities between the franchisor and the franchisee is clearly stated.

From Royal Office’s practical experience, we recommend confirming in advance:

• What responsibilities fall under the franchisor

• Which decisions and actions are the franchisee’s responsibility

For foreign nationals in particular, signing a Japanese-language contract without fully understanding its contents can lead to situations where the actual support differs from initial expectations.

To reduce future burdens and risks, it is essential to fully understand both the franchisor’s support structure and the contract terms before opening the business.

Franchise Business Examples Introduced by Royal Office

Based on extensive experience supporting foreign entrepreneurs starting businesses in Japan, Royal Office introduces franchise models that are not only commercially viable, but also suitable for immigration and legal review.

Each franchise listed below has been assessed from the perspective of Business Manager visa requirements, operational feasibility, and long-term business sustainability.

1．KAKAZAN｜Premium F&B Franchise

KAKAZAN 花果山 - そよら古川橋駅前

KAKAZAN is a drink premium F&B franchise focused on premium tea-based beverages made from carefully selected tea leaves. The brand emphasizes aroma, extraction quality, and consistency, positioning itself between mass-market drinks and high-end tea culture.

Why It Works for Foreign Entrepreneurs

• Compact store size lowers initial investment and staffing needs

• Menu and preparation processes are standardized, ensuring high reproducibility

• Training and operational manuals reduce reliance on prior food-service experience

Visa & Business Perspective

From a Business Manager visa standpoint, KAKAZAN offers:

• A clear revenue structure

• Easily explainable daily operations

• A business model that aligns well with small to mid-scale company formation

This makes it a practical option for those seeking a franchise business in Japan for foreigners with manageable operational complexity.

2. ONE LUKE｜Pet Grooming Franchise

ONE LUKEペットトリミングサロン

ONE LUKE is a pet grooming salon franchise responding to Japan’s growing pet ownership market. The brand focuses on quality grooming services and customer trust.

Why It Works for Foreign Entrepreneurs

• Increasing demand driven by demographic and lifestyle trends

• Franchisor support for grooming standards and store management

• Ability to hire trained staff if the owner lacks grooming experience

Visa & Business Perspective

This franchise offers:

• A service-based business model with clear pricing logic

• Employment creation, which strengthens visa applications

• A business structure suitable for long-term residence in Japan

3.洗濯ウサギ｜Self-Service Laundry Franchise

コインランドリー

Usagi Laundry is a self-service coin laundry franchise designed for residential and mixed-use areas. The business relies on essential daily demand rather than trend-based consumption.

Why It Works for Foreign Entrepreneurs

• Minimal daily customer interaction

• No specialized professional skills required

• Stable demand regardless of season

This model is often suitable for applicants who:

• Prefer operational simplicity

• Aim for steady, predictable income

• Seek a low-maintenance franchise business in Japan

4．Royal Office｜Premium Workspace Solutions

The Royal Office franchise focuses on shared offices, virtual offices, and business support services for startups and foreign residents in Japan.

Why It Works for Foreign Entrepreneurs

• Low inventory and equipment burden

• Service-oriented model with scalable revenue

• Strong synergy with administrative, consulting, and support services

Visa & Business PerspectiveThis model aligns well with:

• Foreign entrepreneur business activities in Japan

• Professional or service-based business plans

• Applicants with experience in consulting, administration, or management

It is particularly suitable for those seeking a non-retail franchise business in Japan.

How Royal Office Evaluates Franchise Suitability

When foreign nationals start a business in Japan, it is not enough to consider only whether the business can generate profits. It is equally important that the business structure aligns with Japan’s legal and institutional requirements, such as the Business Manager visa, required licenses and permits, and the long-term sustainability of the business.

The franchises introduced by Royal Office all share the following characteristics:

• A clearly defined business model that is easy to explain to third parties

• Operations based on physical stores or business locations

• Well-established operational support provided by the franchisor

• Multilingual support available in English, Chinese, Thai, Vietnamese, and other languages

These franchises are designed so that even those with no prior industry experience can operate their business with the support of the franchisor. From both a legal and practical perspective, they allow for a relatively stable and realistic business setup.

Rather than focusing only on how easy a business is to start, we recommend evaluating whether it can be sustainably operated over the long term.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1：Can foreigners start a business in Japan using a franchise?

Yes, it is possible.

Foreign nationals can start a business in Japan through a franchise as long as they follow Japan’s legal framework, including company incorporation and required procedures. However, compared to Japanese nationals, foreigners need to pay additional attention to matters such as visa status and licenses or permits before proceeding.

Q2：Can I choose a franchise with the Business Manager visa in mind?

Yes, you can.

However, not all franchises are suitable for the Business Manager visa. It is important to design the business carefully by considering factors such as the clarity of the business model, operational structure, capital requirements, and long-term business sustainability.

Ｑ3：Is it okay if I have no experience in business or in the industry in Japan?

In many cases, yes.

The franchises introduced by Royal Office provide training programs and operational support from the franchisor, making it easier for beginners with no prior experience to start their business step by step.

Ｑ4：Can I proceed with the procedures even if I am not fluent in Japanese?

Yes, you can.

Royal Office offers multilingual support in English, Chinese, Thai, Vietnamese, and other languages. Even if you are concerned about language barriers, you can consult with us with confidence.