Tokyo, May 16, 2026 — A long-time Indian resident who has spent nearly three decades in Japan and built a successful curry restaurant is fighting a deportation order after Japanese authorities denied the renewal of his business manager visa under newly tightened immigration rules.
Manish Kumar, who has lived in Japan for approximately 30 years and operated his Indian restaurant in Saitama Prefecture near Tokyo for 18 years, broke down in tears at a rally in Tokyo on May 13 as he pleaded his case. His emotional appeal has gone viral, sparking widespread sympathy and debate across India and Japan.
“I’ve been in Japan for 30 years,” Kumar said. “My children were born here and are now in high school. They can only speak Japanese and have only Japanese friends. I worked hard and bought a house too. To tell me unilaterally to go back to India – how is that humane?”
Kumar emphasized that he had followed all rules, gained support from local customers, and contributed to the community. Despite this, his visa application was rejected under stricter criteria introduced around October 2025 for the “business manager” visa category.
Stricter Visa Requirements
The revised rules aim to prevent the misuse of visas through shell companies and non-viable businesses. Key new requirements include:
- A significantly higher minimum capital investment, raised to ¥30 million (approximately $200,000 USD).
- Employment of at least one full-time Japanese worker.
- Demonstrated Japanese language proficiency.
- Submission of a detailed, vetted business plan proving genuine economic contribution, such as job creation.
These changes have caused a reported 96% drop in business manager visa applications, affecting foreign entrepreneurs from various countries who have long operated in Japan.
Kumar’s restaurant now faces an uncertain future, with reports suggesting it may already be at risk of closure. His family, deeply integrated into Japanese society, is also confronting upheaval after building their lives in the country.
Growing Public Backlash
The case has triggered significant public response. Tens of thousands of people have signed an online petition calling for a review of the regulations, particularly seeking exceptions or transitional provisions for long-term residents and families who are well-established in Japan. Campaigners recently delivered a petition containing around 53,000 signatures to immigration authorities.
Supporters argue that sudden policy shifts should not upend the lives of individuals who have spent decades contributing to Japanese society. Critics of the stricter rules highlight the human impact on families whose children identify culturally as Japanese.
Japan’s Immigration Balancing Act
Japan has traditionally maintained relatively low immigration levels but faces mounting pressures from a shrinking and aging population, along with labor shortages in several sectors. The tightened visa rules reflect an effort to ensure foreign businesses deliver real economic value rather than serving primarily as vehicles for residency.
Kumar’s situation underscores the challenges of balancing immigration control with fairness toward long-term foreign residents. As the story continues to gain attention, many are watching to see whether Japanese authorities will offer any relief or flexibility in his case and similar ones.
For now, Manish Kumar and his family await a final decision that could force them to leave the only home his children have ever known.
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