Some certified local governments offer programs which will support you to start business newly in Japan.  

Each local government (municipality) has its set of criteria to approve your plan, so that innovations from outside Japan are brought into the region and would bring benefits to the region.   Many of the local governments set targeted business fields.  

Once your plan is approved, they will issue a certificate.  You could apply for Certificate of Eligibility (COE) of "Designated Activity" visa for 6 months, which will allow you to engage in business preparation (not business itself, though).   You could apply for change of visa status into "Business Manager"  when ready, and start your business.

Documentary: Kobe Start-up visa program

We have started supporting a client who plans to open a company in Kobe city and start business in human resources field.  

The process is still under way and we will have to see how it goes.

We will share updates till the client successfully launch business in Kobe. 

List of Local Governments offering start-up programs (details coming soon)