If I wanted to open a cloth's and jewellery shop in Japan (a road shop thing/stall)...?

Question:

How would I go about doing it? I always wanted to open a shop of things that I like - Indian clothes. If I wanted to do that in Japan, do I have to be a Japanese citizen? Is there any possibility of trading in the streets etc.? Or can I just act as a supplier to some Japanese person who is in Japan?

Answer:

Not as simple as it sounds. I am into business so have some knowledge into how it works. In Japan like most western countries, you don't have to be a citizen but you need to get the required visa - in most places it is called business, investor or entrepreneurial visa. (You could get a work permit but that would entail the usual i.e. 4yr degree, job offer etc which you might do on the side if you can juggle both)

The main requirement for this visa is that you invest your money/capital into the business and you must show them that you have the capital. The amount varies from country to country - in the U.K it is £300k minimum.

Do you need to hire locals? this varies from country to country. In the U.K you have to hire at least two locals in Japan it is not compulsory.

The sticking point here is the capital. If you don't have enough, you won't get the visa (they don't want you to borrow money from the local banks but rather borrow money from the bank in your country if it needs be). From your business model, i can tell you don't need $400k to start it. Of course if you became a citizen or permanent resident, you could start a business with less hassle and avoid all these bureaucracies