METI vs NSSZ Programs, City Options, and Interview Languages

Startup visa programs are split by sponsoring authority into two types. METI-run programs typically last 12 months, with designated-activities status extendable up to 2 years; the document package and criteria are nearly identical to NSSZ programs, but an applicant may apply to only one type, through JETRO. NSSZ/Cabinet Office programs run through municipalities, typically last 6 months, but grant full BM status immediately for that period. City and prefecture programs include Shibuya Startup Support (Tokyo, METI), InvestTokyo / the Tokyo Metropolitan Government bureau (NSSZ), the Osaka Innovation Hub / Osaka Business Development Agency, Sapporo, Kyoto (kyoto-obc.jp/startupvisa), Fukuoka, Kansai, Kyushu, Kawasaki, Yokohama, Nagoya, and Mie (Mie can be applied to without Japanese-language ability). Shibuya is considered the most competitive program and the strictest about a project's "innovativeness"/tech content; regional programs (Sapporo, Kansai, Kyushu, Fukuoka) are easier. Shibuya previously required an office specifically in Shibuya ward; it now accepts an office in any of Tokyo's 23 special wards, though some local programs still require a location within their own ward. Kyoto's program strictly requires the business to be oriented toward the local Kyoto market, with contracts with local companies; mentioning proximity to other cities as a "plus" is viewed negatively. Over the program's entire history only a handful of applications have been approved — figures cited range from roughly 20 to 23 total, of which 17 were under the METI program and 6 under NSSZ (Kyoto's NSSZ visa is issued for 6 months rather than 12). Yokohama's cabinet-office program had issued only about 2 visas as of one chat discussion. Under InvestTokyo/NSSZ, if there are multiple co-founders, each must apply separately, but each must hold a stake of at least 51% in the company — meaning an even 50/50 co-ownership split effectively does not work through this program. InvestTokyo is considered the most competitive Tokyo program by approval volume; per participants' experience, it does not always favor the most "innovative" projects, unlike Shibuya, which filters more strictly on innovativeness. Interview and application language varies by program: Kyoto and Shibuya allow documents and interviews in English and often ask for a pitch deck; some programs (for example, one mention of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government) are Japanese-only. Fukuoka, Sapporo, Tokyo/InvestTokyo, and Yokohama also allow English-language interviews. See: Startup Visa Programs (City and Prefecture): How They Work; Approval Statistics, Processing Times, and Rejection Patterns. Sources: https://www.kyoto-obc.jp/startupvisa/ — official Kyoto startup visa program page; https://www.city.osaka.lg.jp/keizaisenryaku/page/0000623602.html — official Osaka startup visa program page; https://expact.jp/fukuokastartupvisa/ — overview article on the Fukuoka startup visa program; https://shibuya-startup-support.jp — official Shibuya Startup Support website; https://www.investtokyo.metro.tokyo.lg.jp/en/oursupports/bdc-tokyo/fhr.html — official InvestTokyo (Foreign Human Resources) startup visa page; https://www.investtokyo.metro.tokyo.lg.jp/en/oursupports/bdc-tokyo/fhr-faq.html — InvestTokyo FAQ, including the question of multiple applicants jointly founding a company.