Japan's restaurant industry is struggling to hire foreign workers due to the suspension of special work visas as quotas are nearing their limit. This exacerbates existing labor shortages in the country.

Restaurant operators in Japan have been forced to review their approach to hiring foreign workers since the government suspended the issuance of special visas needed to work in the sector, as the number of holders nears its preset quota. The sudden suspension by Japan’s immigration authorities has raised the spectre of fierce competition for foreign talent. Long known for its strict immigration policy, the country has been increasingly counting on foreign workers amid labour shortages. The...