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Japan’s Tougher Immigration Rules Leave Indian Restaurateur Heartbroken After 3 Decades Abroad

Manish Kumar, who had operated a restaurant in Japan for 18 years, was asked to return to India after Japan's new visa rules.

by Tanvi Shrivastava
Japan’s Tougher Immigration Rules Leave Indian Restaurateur Heartbroken After 3 Decades Abroad

An Indian restaurateur who has been living in Japan for nearly 3 decades got emotional during an event while talking about being forced to return to India and shut down his restaurant. Read on to know more.

Indian Restaurateur Asked To Leave Japan After 30 Years

As per a report by India Today, an Indian restaurateur, Manish Kumar, had operated a restaurant in Japan for 18 years. But he was recently asked to return to India after his business manager’s visa renewal was declined under Japan’s tightened immigration rules.

Manish Kumar, who runs an Indian restaurant in Japan’s Saitama Prefecture, stated that the Immigration Services Agency rejected his application under the country’s updated immigration rules. The restaurateur got emotional while giving a speech at an event on May 13. He stated, “My children only speak Japanese…and we’re told to go back to India.”

Also Read: Japan To Launch A Prepaid Travel Card For Tourists In May; Check Cost, Validity & How It Works

Fighting back tears, Manish, in a speech roughly translated from Japanese, stated that his children were born in Japan and are in school. He also stated that they can only speak Japanese and have only Japanese friends. He further said that he worked hard and even bought a house in Japan, and to tell him unilaterally to go back to India – how is that humane?”

Japan’s Revised Business Visa Policy

Japan amended its business manager visa rules late last year, increasing the minimum capital requirement for applicants from 5 million to 30 million (around $190,000). As per the news portal, officials stated that the changes were introduced amid concerns that the visa system was being misused for migration purposes and after investigations that allegedly uncovered legitimate companies operating under the programme. As per a KPMG report, candidates or full-time employees are now required to prove Japanese language proficiency, usually at around the JLPT N2 level.

Also Read: Why Did An Indian Family Get Fined ₹3,195 For Renting A Kimono In Japan?

Japanese media reports also state that applications for business manager visas have dropped sharply since the revised requirements came into effect.

What are your thoughts about it?

Cover Image Courtesy: X/Mahipal Panwar

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First Published: May 17, 2026 7:07 PM

FAQs

Is Japan visa free for Indians now?

No. A Japan visa for Indian citizens is mandatory before travel.

Is Japan eVISA available for Indians?

As of April 1, 2024, Indian citizens residing in India can apply for a Japan eVISA, a single-entry, short-term (up to 90 days) tourist visa.

How difficult is a Japan visa for Indians?

Obtaining a Japan tourist visa for Indian citizens is relatively easy, with a high approval rate (up to 99% according to some reports) provided all documents are accurate and complete.