Stricter scrutiny ahead for foreign restaurant owners in Japan
*This article was originally published on the website of Posse Nippon, the publisher of Small Business Japan, prior to the launch of Small Business Japan (October 2024). Articles published before September 2024 have been edited and transferred to this site.*
We’ve asked an immigration lawyer – 2/3
To ensure quality and compliance, the immigration office is implementing a new "Food Industry" qualification and will be conducting more thorough reviews of these cases, points out Tachikawa. Why and what are the potential implications?
Summary
Self-employed restaurant owners may face stricter scrutiny
Seek professional guidance for business success and visa compliance
Q: There are many immigrants who run a restaurant. Are they mostly spouse visa holders?
Yasuo Tachikawa: I suppose they have a spouse visa or are permanent residents. Some have a Business Manager visa, of course. But with this visa, you must stick strictly to managerial work. I mean, the only manager running a restaurant is not allowed under the visa.
Q: But in reality, there seem to be many restaurants run by self-employed owners who are not Japanese.
YT: Yes, you are right. However, the immigration office is making moves to examine these cases more carefully with a new “Food Industry” qualification created under the “Specified Skilled Worker” and “Designated Activities No. 46” categories.
