Japan's tightened visa rules threaten foreign residents and small businesses

Japan's new business manager visa rules, introduced in late 2025 by the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, are causing concern among foreign residents and small business owners. Budhathoki Samjhana, a Nepalese national who owns a restaurant in Tokyo, faces potential expulsion because she may not meet the new requirements, including an increased capital requirement from 5 million yen to 30 million yen. Indian restaurant owner Manish Kumar, who has lived in Japan for three decades, has already been informed his business manager visa will not be renewed. These stricter regulations come amid growing opposition to immigration, despite Japan's aging population and labor shortages. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has advocated for tighter regulations on foreign nationals, and the government recently increased visa fees for some tourists and tripled a departure tax for all travelers. While business manager visa holders have a three-year grace period, many fear they will not be able to comply. The justice ministry announced a "zero illegal foreign residents" plan last May, and the "Japanese-first" Sanseito party, which describes immigration as a "silent invasion," saw a rise in popularity in last year's upper house election. Justice Minister Hiroshi Hiraguchi stated in April that there are no plans to review the rules, though his ministry intends to respond based on individual circumstances. Over 67,800 people have signed a petition calling for the suspension of the new rules.