Japan’s restaurant sector left hungry for talent after visa suspension

Japan's restaurant sector is facing a talent shortage following the government's suspension of special visas for foreign workers in the industry. This suspension, enacted by immigration authorities, occurred as the number of visa holders approached a preset quota of 50,000 for the 2028 financial year. By the end of February, approximately 46,000 foreign workers held Type I status in the food service industry. The sudden halt in visa issuance is expected to intensify competition for foreign talent, a group Japan has increasingly relied upon to address labor shortages, despite its historically strict immigration policies. Restaurant operators are now compelled to re-evaluate their hiring strategies for foreign staff.