Decision comes as quota under Specified Skilled Worker program nears limit Tokyo, April 13, 2026: has temporarily suspended the recruit...
Decision comes as quota under Specified Skilled Worker program nears limit
Tokyo, April 13, 2026: has temporarily suspended the recruitment of new foreign workers in its food services sector after nearing the quota set under its “Specified Skilled Worker” program. The decision came into effect on April 13, 2026, according to government officials.
The move is part of the country’s workforce management strategy under the Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) program, which allows foreign nationals to work in industries facing labor shortages, including restaurants, construction, agriculture, and nursing care.
Authorities revealed that a total quota of approximately 50,000 foreign workers had been set for the food services sector for a five-year period ending in 2028. However, by the end of February 2026, nearly 46,000 workers had already been employed under the program, raising concerns that the cap would soon be reached.
As a result, the government decided to temporarily pause new intakes in this category to manage the remaining quota effectively.
Business groups have expressed concern over the decision, warning that it could worsen the already strained labor market. The food and restaurant industry, in particular, is expected to face immediate challenges due to staffing shortages.
A Tokyo-based restaurant owner, , said the move could disrupt operations. “Skilled staff are essential for running a restaurant, especially chefs. This will make it harder for us to maintain service quality,” he noted.
Similarly, , a manager at a South Korean restaurant, highlighted that hiring had already been difficult prior to the restriction. He added that limitations on student working hours further complicate workforce management.
Experts believe the impact of the policy will extend beyond restaurants to other related sectors. Recruitment agencies that supply foreign labor to Japan report a growing demand for workers in food services over the past two years.
, who works with a Myanmar-based recruitment agency, said her company has sent around 1,000 workers to Japan, mostly in the nursing sector. However, she emphasized that demand from the restaurant industry has surged recently.
The policy is expected to hit rural areas harder, where declining populations and aging demographics have already limited the local workforce. Business operators argue that a uniform quota policy does not account for regional differences.
, a restaurant operator in Gifu Prefecture, stressed the need for region-specific policies. “Rural revitalization depends on labor availability. The government should consider separate quotas for different regions,” he said.
Japan has been increasingly relying on foreign workers to sustain its economy amid a rapidly aging population and declining birth rate. Government statistics indicate that by the end of 2025, the number of foreign residents in the country exceeded 4 million, while foreign workers reached a record 2.57 million as of October 2025.
Analysts and labor groups argue that broader consultations with industry stakeholders should have been conducted before implementing the suspension. They warn that abrupt policy shifts may disrupt business continuity and economic stability.
The government has signaled that it is reviewing its immigration and labor policies and may introduce adjustments in the future based on economic needs and workforce trends.
Sources: Government of Japan / Industry Reports
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