Visa Suspension Leaves Japanese Restaurants Scrambling for Skilled Workers The recent suspension of Type I visa issuance for foreign workers in Japan's food industry has sent shockwaves through a sector that had grown reliant on international talent.
The number of foreign workers with these visas approached 50,000 – double the initial projection just two years ago – before applications were suddenly frozen.
Many Japanese restaurants have come to rely heavily on foreign staff, who not only fill labor gaps but also bring expertise and skills to the table.