The Business Manager visa, tightened since last October, raised required capital from 5 million to 30 million yen and mandated full-time staff. Ministry sources say new approvals since the tightening mainly went to executives at listed companies, while some long-time foreign entrepreneurs worry the higher capital requirement could force them to return home. Over five months after the change, new applications averaged about 70 per month, down from roughly 1,700 before the tightening, a decline of about 96%.