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The Immigration Services Agency of Japan said it suspended issuing certificates of eligibility for Type I Specified Skilled Worker visa applications received from April 13, Kyodo News reported.
According to preliminary data, the number of foreign workers in Japan's food service industry under the visa category had reached around 46,000 by the end of February.
Applications submitted before April 13 will continue to be processed in order until the quota is filled, Japan Today reported.
Launched in 2019, the program was designed to address chronic labor shortages across industries including food services.
It includes two visa types: Type I, which allows stays of up to five years, and Type II, which permits indefinite renewals and can lead to permanent residency.
Japan's foodservice market is estimated at about USD$289.2 billion in 2025 and projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of around 10% to 10.35% through 2030.
Growth is being driven by a sharp recovery in international tourism and rising consumer spending on dining experiences, according to market intelligence & advisory firm Mordor Intelligence.
Japan welcomed a record number of 42.7 million tourist arrivals in 2025.
