Japan Visa Crackdown Leaves Indian Restaurateur Shattered, Asked To Leave Country After 30 Years
New Delhi : For nearly three decades, Manish Kumar built his life in Japan brick by brick. He worked hard, raised a family, opened an Indian restaurant, and became part of the local community. But today, the man who once believed Japan was his forever home is living with the fear of being forced to leave it all behind.
The Indian restaurant owner recently broke down while speaking near Japan’s parliament, saying authorities had asked him to return to India after his issues with the renewal of his visa. Fighting back tears, Kumar said he no longer knows what future awaits his family in the country they have called home for years.
His pain was not just about paperwork or immigration rules. It was about identity , family, and belonging. “My children were born here .They only speak Japanese”, he said emotionally, explaning how difficult it would be to suddenly uproot their lives and move to a country they barely know.
Kumar has reportedly lived in Japan for around 30 years and has been running his Indian restaurant for nearly two decades. Like many small business owners, he spent years contributing to the local economy and serving the community. But recent changes to Japan’s business visa rules have made life difficult for several foreign entrepreneurs.
Under stricter immigration policies introduced recently, business owners are now expected to meet tougher financial and operational requirements to continue staying in the country. While the Japanese government says the move is aimed at preventing misuse of visas, many long-term residents feel genuine business owners are also being caught in the middle.
Kumar’s emotional appeal quickly spread online, with many people expressing support and shock over his situation. For many, his story reflects a deeper question — what truly makes a place home? Is it the passport you hold, or the life you spend decades building? For Manish Kumar, the answer seems clear. Even after 30 years, he is still being told he does not belong.
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