Indian Restaurant Owner Forced to Close 10-Year Business After Visa Rejection A 10-year-old Indian restaurant in Japan was forced to shut down after its owner, Manish Kumar, was denied renewal of his "Business Manager Visa." The rejection, under Japan’s tightened immigration rules, left Kumar with no choice but to close his restaurant in Saitama Prefecture, where he had operated for a decade. Kumar, who has lived in Japan for over 30 years, described the decision as devastating, citing the emotional toll on his family and the uncertainty of his future. The visa denial followed Japan’s recent overhaul of its Business Manager Visa system, which has drastically reduced applications. According to official data, applications for the visa dropped by 96% after the new rules took effect in October 2025. Monthly applications fell from approximately 1,700 to just 70. Kumar’s case has become a symbol of growing anxiety among small foreign business owners in Japan, who now face stricter requirements to qualify for the visa. The new regulations, implemented by Japan’s Immigration Services Agency (ISA), aim to prevent individuals from using the visa as a means to secure long-term residency without engaging in legitimate business activities. Under the revised rules, applicants must now meet significantly higher financial thresholds. The minimum required investment was raised from 500,000 yen (around 300,000 rupees) to 30 million yen (approximately 20 million rupees). This change has made it nearly impossible for small business owners to qualify, as Kumar’s restaurant, which operated on a modest scale, could not meet the new financial demands. Additionally, applicants are now required to hire at least one full-time local employee.#kpmg #manish_kumar #immigration_services_agency #saitama_prefecture #business_manager_visa
