Currently, a company incorporated in Japan and a branch office registered in Japan must appoint a local resident representative, and it has been the problem for the foreign companies considering to enter into Japan market. However, it is reported that the Ministry of Justice will lift this regulation by the end of this year.
This will give a big boost to the foreign companies planning to invest in Japan.
At the same time, the requirements for Investor/Business Manager visa are also to be loosened. The details will come out by the end of March, 2015.
The source is here (sorry, Japanese only).
