Japanese restaurant operators are rethinking their foreign hiring strategies after the government paused special visa approvals for the sector. The move comes as the number of visa holders approaches the set quota.
The suspension has strained restaurants heavily reliant on foreign workers to address severe labor shortages. Many eateries are adapting by cutting operating hours or adjusting their menus.
According to Kyodo News, the special visa program was designed to attract skilled foreign workers into labor-short industries. But with registrations surging, the government halted new approvals to control numbers.
Some experts warn this could make it harder for restaurants to maintain normal operations, especially as the service sector recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic. Operators hope the government will review the quota or offer alternative solutions to support the industry.
