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20250729 immigration agency main

Immigration officials en route to an address in Ibaraki prefecture, northeast of Tokyo, in mid-July to verify whether the property is being used as an office, as claimed by a foreign national in his business manager visa extension application. (Photo by Mayumi Tsumita)

AZUSA KOMAKI and MIKU SAITO

TOKYO — Japan’s immigration authority is intensifying efforts to crack down on suspected abuse of the business manager visa program, which is intended to help foreign entrepreneurs start businesses in the country.