Japan's business/management visa rules were tightened in October 2025, raising the capital requirement to 30 million yen and mandating that owners hire Japanese nationals or permanent residents. Officials say the reform aims to curb visa misuse as the number of holders has risen to about 47,000. For foreign owners like Nepal-born Kacey who runs a curry shop with four Nepali employees, the new rules pose a high hurdle and worry over renewal in 2029. In Tokyo's Nerima, Chan's popular Hong Kong congee shop '3米3' will close on May 20 because meeting the new capital requirement would triple its current capital of 9 million yen. Some existing visa holders may renew until October 2028 under the old rules, but beyond that the path is unclear. Lawyers say the changes are prompting consultations and could reshape foreign-owned eateries.