Key facts
- Japan launched a 14-year tech strategy aiming for $2.3 trillion in investment by fiscal 2040.
- The strategy focuses on fostering startups in AI and semiconductors.
- Japan aims to create a robust investment framework for growth and national security.
- Japan has tightened visa requirements for foreign entrepreneurs.
- The capital threshold for business manager visas in Japan increased from 5 million yen to 30 million yen.
- This change impacts the startup visa pathway, requiring a plan to meet higher capital requirements.
- Thailand will enact a startup promotion law by year-end.
- The National Innovation Agency (NIA) will coordinate Thailand's startup law.
- Thailand's law will streamline government support and incentives for emerging businesses.
Japan has launched an ambitious 14-year technology strategy with the goal of attracting $2.3 trillion in public and private investment by fiscal year 2040. The strategy places a significant emphasis on fostering startups within key strategic sectors such as artificial intelligence (AI) and semiconductors. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi stated the aim is to establish a robust investment framework designed to stimulate economic growth and bolster national security.
Contrasting with its broad investment strategy, Japan has also implemented stricter visa regulations for foreign entrepreneurs. The capital threshold for obtaining a business manager visa has been raised substantially, from 5 million yen to 30 million yen. This regulatory shift directly affects the startup visa pathway, as prospective foreign entrepreneurs must now present a credible plan to achieve this elevated capital requirement within one to two years of their application.
In parallel, Thailand is on the verge of enacting its own startup promotion law, with implementation expected by the end of the current year. The National Innovation Agency (NIA) will spearhead this initiative, which is designed to streamline government support and offer targeted incentives to emerging businesses. The law will outline specific eligibility criteria and benefits for startups that successfully register under the new framework.