Indian restaurant owner ordered to leave Japan after 30 years

An Indian restaurant owner in Japan has said he is being forced to leave the country after authorities rejected the renewal of his business manager visa under stricter immigration rules introduced last year.

Manish Kumar, who has operated an Indian restaurant in Saitama Prefecture for 18 years, said Japan’s Immigration Services Agency denied his application, putting his business and family’s future at risk.

Speaking at a protest rally in Tokyo, Kumar broke down while describing the impact of the decision. “Two weeks ago, ISA told me to go back to my own country. My children were born and raised in Japan; they only understand Japanese, their only friends are Japanese, but we are being told to go back to India. What am I supposed to do?” he said.

Kumar’s case has drawn attention to growing concerns among foreign entrepreneurs after Japan tightened rules for its business manager visa in October 2025.

According to official data cited in reports, applications for the visa have fallen by 96 percent since the changes took effect, dropping from around 1,700 monthly applications to about 70.

The revised rules significantly increased eligibility requirements. The minimum capital investment was raised from 5 million yen to 30 million yen. Applicants must now also employ at least one full-time local worker and demonstrate Japanese language ability, either personally or through an employee.

Authorities have also introduced stricter checks on management experience, business qualifications, tax records, and office legitimacy. Reports said home offices are no longer accepted.

Japanese authorities have defended the changes, saying they are aimed at preventing misuse of the visa system by applicants seeking long-term residency without operating genuine businesses.

Critics, however, argue that legitimate small business owners who have contributed to local communities for years are being affected by the crackdown.