LATEST UK–JAPAN REPORTS
Agency Issues New Visa Rules for Investors The Immigration Bureau of Japan now requires proof of income and tax payment to extend or renew an Investor/ Business Manager visa, according to a newsletter distributed on 8 March by QCIC Consulting K.K. For the moment, said the firm’s president, Raymond Gasu, the authorities will accept an official commitment letter from the applicant’s representing firm, which must state that the applicant will be paid a certain amount on a monthly basis effective the month of application. Proof is required if you have other means by which you can financially sustain yourself here. Although the application process might take slightly longer, its success will depend on the adequacy of your proof.
If you hold a working visa, it is quite difficult to renew it without proof of individual income, because your visa status requires you to work full time for your sponsoring organisation and earn a salary. Thus, proof of other sources of selfsustainability in Japan is not valid. If you own and run a small business, you are required by law to hold an Investor/ Business Manager visa, not a working visa. Further, as the owner and representative director of your firm, you cannot sponsor yourself. Change your status while you still have a valid visa to avoid delays in the process. If you do not have Permanent Residence or Spouse visa status, you and your firm cannot sponsor a Working visa for another foreigner unless you have an Investor/
Business Manager visa as the representative director of your firm. The need to have ¥5mn in capital for an Investor/Business Manager visa has changed, possibly to get firms to inject more capital into their businesses. Now, if two or more shareholders together contribute ¥5mn, at least one must have contributed ¥5mn before Immigration will approve Investor/Business Manager visa status for the firm’s representative director. If you have applied for renewal/extension of your current visa and are awaiting your postcard, you may still travel outside Japan, provided you return within two months from the expiry date of your old visa. However, you should obtain an application receipt in English from the Immigration Bureau and take it with you.
Tokyo to Stage UK Rework of Ghibli Anime Classic The British stage adaptation of Studio Ghibli’s animated classic Princess Mononoke is to come to Japan, Japan Today reported on 11 March. Originally intended only for audiences at London’s Diorama Theatre, the play will be performed in Japan from 29 April–6 May at Tokyo’s Aiia Theater. The production uses large-scale puppets made from recycled materials to recreate Hayao Miyazaki’s tale of the struggle between nature and the greed of mankind. The film was first released in 1997 in Japan, where it was a box-office hit. The UK adaption could be taken to other countries if it is a success here. Attending a press conference to announce the stage adaption were (from left): Toshio Suzuki, former president of Studio Ghibli; Alexandra Rutter, art director; and Polly Clare Boon, set designer.
Index Reveals Kanto Residents, Women and Young Best at English
Buoys to Help Predict Quakes
Japan ranked 22nd out of 54 countries in the Education First English Proficiency Index (EPI), according to a press release issued by Kreab Gavin Anderson K.K. on 21 February. Japan received an EPI score of 55.14, below the OECD average of 58.58. Singapore and Malaysia had the highest scores in Asia, being in 12th and 13th positions, respectively. The second edition of the index tapped data from 1.7mn adults in 54 countries who
A buoy designed and manufactured by a Hampshire-based firm is to be used by Tohoku University to help predict earthquakes off the Japanese coast, The News reported on 12 March. ASV’s C-Stat 2 device is the first of its kind and can be controlled by line-of-site or satellite link, while an integral fuel tank allows it to operate for four days.
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had used the firm’s free English tests from 2009 to 2011. The findings for Japan showed that individuals from Tokyo and the wider Kanto region scored higher than those in other areas of the country. The index also found that Japanese women scored slightly higher than men, while young people aged between 18 and 25 had the highest scores.