After 30 years In Japan, Indian restaurant owner told to go back

An Indian restaurant owner in Japan is facing an uncertain future after his business visa renewal was reportedly rejected under the country’s stricter immigration rules. Manish Kumar, who has reportedly lived in Japan for nearly 30 years and has been running his restaurant in Saitama for the last 18 years, has now been asked to leave the country.

Speaking emotionally at a protest rally in Tokyo, Kumar said he was heartbroken by the decision. He shared that his children were born and raised in Japan, speak only Japanese, and have spent their entire lives there. According to reports, immigration officials told him to “go back to India,” leaving his family worried about what comes next.

Kumar’s case has drawn attention to Japan’s new business manager visa rules, which were reportedly introduced in October 2025. Since the changes were made, visa applications under this category have reportedly dropped by 96%, from around 1,700 applications per month to just 70.

Under the new rules, foreign entrepreneurs now  need to invest at least 30 million Yen (around ₹2 crore) instead of the earlier 5 million Yen (₹30.2 lakh). Applicants must also hire at least one full-time local employee, show Japanese language skills, and provide proof of business experience or qualifications. 

The Japanese government says the changes are meant to stop misuse of the visa system. However, many foreign business owners believe genuine small entrepreneurs are being unfairly affected and fear these strict rules could hurt long-running businesses across the country.