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Japan Undecided on Resuming Food Sector Worker Visas

Staffing stretched to limit

Written and analysed by Ryusei Hosono • • Updated: September 10, 2026
japan-undecided-on-resuming-food-sector-worker-visas

A flat, textured illustration in a red, navy, and cream palette shows a food service worker from behind, wearing a white kerchief, white uniform, and a navy apron tied in a bow. To the left sit a red sun over a stylized snow-capped Mount Fuji, a navy bowl with chopsticks, and a gold leaf sprig. To the right, a dark blue map of Europe, a passport with a gold globe emblem, and red tomatoes with leafy greens. The composition suggests foreign workers traveling between Europe and Japan for food industry jobs.

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Japan Undecided on Resuming Food Sector Worker Visas

Table of contents:

    TL;DR

    The Japanese government reported to an expert panel on Sept. 9 that it has not decided when to resume accepting foreign workers under the Specified Skilled Worker (i) status in the food service sector, after intake was suspended as numbers neared the 50,000 cap.

    TOKYO — The Japanese government reported to an expert panel on Sept. 9 that it has yet to decide when to resume accepting foreign workers under the Specified Skilled Worker (i) status of residence in the food service sector.

    Why Intake Was Suspended

    The Immigration Services Agency announced at the end of March that the number of people accepted in the food service sector had reached about 46,000, according to preliminary figures as of the end of February, and was expected to exceed the cap. Because of this, it announced it would temporarily suspend the issuance of certificates of eligibility.

    Industry Calls for Resumption

    The food service industry has called for the intake to resume, saying staffing conditions at workplaces are "stretched to the limit."

    Government Position

    The government says it will decide whether to resume accepting such workers after monitoring how far their numbers fall below the sector's cap of 50,000.

    Sources and further reading

    1. The Mainichi — Japan gov't yet to decide on new visa approvals in food sector 'stretched to limit'
    2. Mainichi Shimbun — Japan gov't yet to decide on new visa approvals in food sector 'stretched to limit'
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