Food & Beverage
1 Employment of Foreign Workers in the Food Service Industry
In Japan’s food service industry, where labor shortages have become increasingly severe, many companies—from major restaurant chains to small and medium-sized establishments—actively hire foreign workers. These workers play an essential role in the industry, engaging in a wide range of tasks such as food preparation, customer service, and cleaning.
Among foreign workers in the food service sector, the largest group consists of international students and family dependents who work part-time with permission for activities outside their visa status.
They account for approximately half of all foreign workers in the industry.
In addition, the food service industry employs foreign nationals staying in Japan under “Spouse or Child of Japanese National” and “Permanent Resident” status, as well as foreign chefs working under the “Skilled Labor” status. Some also work in the industry with a “Specified Skilled Worker” status or engage in specialized duties under the “Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services” status.
2 Major Visa Categories for Employing Foreign Workers
⑴ Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services
This visa status is for foreign nationals engaged in work that requires specialized knowledge or skills.
Examples include developing marketing strategies in the corporate planning division of a restaurant chain or conducting negotiations with overseas branches using foreign language skills.
However, frontline tasks such as cooking and customer service do not fall under this status, so careful attention is required.
⑵ Specified Skilled Worker
This visa category was established to address labor shortages and allows foreign workers to engage in a wide range of tasks related to restaurant operations, including cooking, serving, and customer service.
⑶ Permission for Activities Outside the Visa Status
This permit allows foreign nationals with statuses such as “Student” or “Dependent” to work part-time as long as it does not interfere with their primary activity.
They may work in positions such as hall staff or kitchen assistants; however, their working hours are limited to 28 hours per week.
3 Consultation for Foreign Workers in the Food Service Industry
Working in Japan requires the appropriate visa status and compliance with various legal procedures. These requirements can be complex, and misunderstandings may affect your ability to work or stay in Japan.
We provide support for foreign workers who wish to work in the food service industry.
If you have questions about visa procedures, work conditions, or employment options, please feel free to contact us.
