Moving to Japan for retirement and aiming to run a small business is an exciting venture. Given your goals, there are a few visa options to consider, but since you have limited funds and prefer not to hire local employees, the options narrow down significantly. Here's what you might want to focus on: 1. Business Manager Visa Overview: This visa is typically for those looking to start or manage a business in Japan. However, it usually requires a significant investment (at least 5 million yen) and the hiring of at least one full-time employee, which might not align with your current plans. Alternatives: If you can simplify the business structure or start very small, you might explore partnerships or businesses that don’t require substantial capital or employees, but this still might not be the best fit. 2. Start-Up Visa Overview: This is a temporary visa that allows you to live in Japan while preparing to start a business. Some regions offer this visa, and it can be extended up to one year. It’s designed to give you time to develop your business plan and secure investment. Challenges: You would still need to transition to a Business Manager Visa after the start-up period, which requires meeting the investment and employment criteria. 3. Cultural Activities Visa Overview: If you’re interested in engaging in cultural or artistic activities, you might be eligible for this visa. While it doesn’t allow for running a business, it could be a way to stay in Japan while exploring other avenues for permanent residency. Consideration: You could focus on cultural pursuits while planning your business in parallel. 4. Retirement and Permanent Residency Path Long-Term Stay: Although Japan doesn’t have a specific retirement visa, some retirees manage to live in Japan through other long-stay visas (like a cultural visa or student visa) while applying for permanent residency. Permanent Residency: Generally, you need to live in Japan for at least 10 years (or shorter in certain conditions) before applying for permanent residency. Having a stable income, paying taxes, and being part of the community can improve your chances. 5. Alternative Approach: Self-Sponsorship Overview: If you can secure a different visa type (like an engineer or humanities visa) based on part-time or freelance work, you could self-sponsor your own visa once in Japan. This route may offer more flexibility in terms of working and eventually running a small business. Challenges: This path requires finding a way to legally work under another visa type first. Recommendations: Consult with an Immigration Specialist: Japan’s immigration laws are complex, and a specialist can provide tailored advice based on your specific situation, especially considering your preference for a low-investment business. Consider a Low-Cost Business: Explore options like online businesses or consulting that don’t require significant upfront investment or hiring employees, which might align with a Business Manager Visa if structured correctly. Cultural Activities or Language Study: Use this time to immerse yourself in Japanese culture or language, which could open up more visa options and help you integrate better into the community. Starting small and gradually building towards your goal of permanent residency while ensuring you meet visa requirements is the best strategy.

Navigating the online world to make money quickly can be challenging, especially with so much information locked behind paywalls. However, there are still legitimate ways to make money online without needing to spend upfront. Here's some advice you can consider: ### 1. **Freelancing** - **Platforms**: Fiverr, Upwork, Freelancer - **Skills Needed**: Writing, graphic design, digital marketing, data entry, etc. - **How to Start**: Create a profile showcasing your skills. Even if you’re starting, offer competitive rates and deliver high-quality work to get those first few positive reviews. Once you build a reputation, you can gradually increase your rates. ### 2. **Sell Digital Products** - **What to Sell**: E-books, printables, templates, or stock photos. - **How to Start**: Use platforms like Gumroad or Etsy. If you have knowledge in a particular area, create a simple e-book or guide. Canva is a great tool for designing printables or templates that people might find useful. ### 3. **Online Tutoring or Consulting** - **Platforms**: Wyzant, Tutor.com, or even offering services through social media. - **How to Start**: Offer your expertise in a subject you’re knowledgeable about. You can start by offering lower rates to attract your first few clients, then increase your fees as you gain positive feedback. ### 4. **Participate in Online Surveys and Market Research** - **Platforms**: Swagbucks, Survey Junkie, Pinecone Research - **How to Start**: While this won’t make you rich, it’s a quick way to earn a little cash or gift cards by sharing your opinions. ### 5. **Sell Physical Products** - **What to Sell**: Second-hand items, handmade crafts, or dropshipping. - **How to Start**: Use platforms like eBay, Facebook Marketplace, or Poshmark to sell things you no longer need. For dropshipping, you can use Shopify, but this usually requires a bit more upfront knowledge and strategy. ### 6. **Affiliate Marketing** - **How it Works**: Promote other people’s products and earn a commission for each sale made through your link. - **How to Start**: Sign up for affiliate programs like Amazon Associates, ShareASale, or ClickBank. Share your affiliate links on social media, blogs, or YouTube. You’ll need some audience to make this work effectively. ### 7. **Use Social Media for Sales** - **Platforms**: Instagram, Facebook, TikTok - **How to Start**: Promote services or products directly on your social media accounts. For instance, selling baked goods, handmade crafts, or offering a service you’re good at, like writing resumes or providing social media consultations. ### 8. **Content Creation (for monetization later)** - **Platforms**: YouTube, TikTok, or Blogging - **How to Start**: This is more of a long-term strategy, but starting a YouTube channel or blog can eventually lead to ad revenue, sponsorships, or product sales. Begin by creating content in a niche you’re passionate about. ### Practical Tips: - **Avoid Scams**: Be wary of anything that promises quick riches with little effort. - **Leverage Existing Skills**: Start with what you know or are good at to gain momentum quickly. - **Invest Time, Not Money**: Focus on opportunities that require time rather than upfront investment. This approach should help you avoid common pitfalls and focus on proven strategies that can help you make those initial sales.

Congratulations on starting your journey as an entrepreneur! Setting the amount you will charge for advice is a crucial step. If you're referring to a platform or service you're using to offer advice, typically, there should be an option within your account settings or profile to set your rates. If you're doing this independently, you can determine your pricing based on factors like: Market Rates: Research what others in your industry are charging. Experience: Higher experience can justify higher rates. Target Audience: Consider what your clients can afford. Value Provided: The impact of your advice on clients' outcomes.