Don't think you are qualified for it because it is your friend from Mainland China will invest/establish the company in US, not you and PR China is not a treaty country with US. See this website for some basic information:
http://www.ustraveldocs.com/jp/jp-niv-typee.asp
http://travel.state.gov/content/visas/english/fees/treaty.html
http://www.ustraveldocs.com/jp/jp-niv-typee.asp
http://travel.state.gov/content/visas/english/fees/treaty.html
