{
  "id": 6531313,
  "title": "Japan gov't yet to decide on new visa approvals in food sector 'stretched to limit'",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/10/japan-govt-yet-to-decide-on-new-visa-approvals-in-food-sector",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-10T03:23:55.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Mainichi",
    "slug": "the-mainichi",
    "url": "https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20260910/p2a/00m/0na/012000c"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Japan's government has yet to decide on resuming new visa approvals for foreign workers in the food service sector, despite the industry's plea for more staff. According to the Immigration Services Agency, the number of people accepted in the food service sector has reached about 46,000, but is expected to exceed the sector's cap of 50,000. As a result, the agency temporarily suspended the issuance of certificates of eligibility for foreign workers on April 13. The government plans to decide on resuming approvals after monitoring the situation, with a decision expected by the end of the year. Additionally, the government has proposed expanding the range of work permitted under two existing visa programs, with the goal of reaching a combined cap of 1,231,900 foreign workers through fiscal 2028.",
  "summary": "TOKYO -- The Japanese government reported to an expert panel on Sept. 9 that it has yet to decide when to resume accepting foreign workers under the S",
  "key_points": [
    "Japan's government undecided on new visa approvals for food sector.",
    "46,000 people already accepted in food service sector, exceeding cap.",
    "Decision expected by year-end to resume approvals."
  ],
  "editors_take": "The pause on new visa approvals for foreign workers in Japan's food service sector leaves the industry short-staffed, with a potential reprieve pending the government's review by year's end.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}