Sony's problem was always JP megacorp autism. Someone who threw money at the problem and didn't require 3 levels of approval meetings to do anything might actually be able to break into vtubing.
It's the opposite, if you're waiting for a visa renewal in Japan you can't leave the country or you risk losing your visa completely.
Japan doesn't have that nonsense thankfully.
Up to a point. If it's temporary with a legitimate reason then sure, but ultimately someone who doesn't stream is freeloading on your corp and the other talents, and eventually either that will start pissing them off or everyone will start slacking to match. Ultimately you have to be willing to enforce that 4 streams/week minimum or you'll lose credibility.
In fairness we all complain about twitch/youtube moderation but the only way it will change is if there's a better alternative. I don't blame anyone for trying to support a new vtuber-oriented streaming platform.