Short answer: for Hong Kong and Macau residents, Taiwan means investing NT$6,000,000 in a company, with settlement and an ID after as little as a year and a familiar language and culture; Japan suits those with a job, a business or strong qualifications, and the HSP route can lead to permanent residence in as little as a year.
The two compared
| Taiwan | Japan | |
|---|---|---|
| Main route | HK & Macau residents’ investment | HSP, Business Manager |
| Investment | NT$6,000,000 (set up and run a company) | HSP none; Business Manager JPY 30,000,000 capital |
| Language | Mandarin, easy for Hongkongers | Business Manager needs N2 Japanese (you or an employee) |
| Permanent status | Settlement with an ID | PR (HSP one to three years) |
| Keep Hong Kong status | Yes | Yes |
| Healthcare | National Health Insurance | National Health Insurance |
Taiwan suits
- Families wanting a familiar language and culture and lower living costs
- Those willing to genuinely run a company and meet the days-in-Taiwan requirements
- Anyone wanting a local ID relatively quickly
Japan suits
- Professionals with a job or business in Japan and strong qualifications (HSP)
- Entrepreneurs with management experience, JPY 30 million and the Japanese requirement covered (Business Manager)
- Families wanting schooling in Japan or at international schools
How to choose
Start with your own profile: with a Japanese job or strong qualifications, HSP is the fast track; without that background but willing to run a business, Taiwan generally has a lower threshold and easier language.