After 30 Years In Japan, Indian Family Told To Leave As New Visa Rules Trigger Debate

A family from India that spent nearly three decades building a life in Japan is now facing possible deportation after stricter immigration rules reportedly led to the rejection of their visa renewal application.

The case of the Kumar family has sparked emotional reactions online and triggered growing debate in Japan over immigration policies, foreign-run businesses and the treatment of long-term residents who have spent most of their lives contributing to Japanese society.

The family, which operated an Indian curry restaurant in Saitama Prefecture for nearly 18 years, says they are now being asked to leave the country despite living in Japan for almost 30 years.

Family Says Japan Is The Only Home Their Children Know

Speaking at a public rally held inside Japan's parliament this week, Indian restaurant owner Manish Kumar emotionally described the family's situation.

According to Kumar, immigration authorities recently denied the renewal of his Business Manager Visa, forcing the closure of the family's long-running restaurant.

"My children were born and raised in Japan. They only speak Japanese. Their friends are Japanese. Yet we are being told to return to India," he said during the rally.
He also said the family had done nothing wrong and described the situation as deeply painful after spending most of their lives in the country.

"I've done nothing wrong. It's cruel to tell people to return to their home country just because the rules have suddenly changed," Kumar said.

Japan Tightened Business Visa Rules

The controversy began after Japan introduced stricter conditions last October for its Business Manager Visa system.

The visa category is commonly used by foreign business owners operating restaurants, shops and small companies in Japan.

Under the revised policy, applicants are now reportedly required to show at least ¥30 million in capital - a massive increase from the earlier ¥5 million requirement.

Applicants must also:

• Employ at least one full-time Japanese worker or permanent resident
• Demonstrate Japanese-language proficiency equivalent to JLPT N2 level
• Meet stricter financial and operational conditions

Japanese authorities said the rules were tightened to prevent misuse of the visa system as a pathway to long-term residency.
Small Foreign Businesses Hit Hard

Critics argue that the new rules are disproportionately affecting small foreign-run businesses that have operated legally in Japan for years.

Many family-owned restaurants and local businesses reportedly struggle to meet the new high capital requirement despite paying taxes, employing workers and maintaining stable operations for decades.

Supporters of the Kumar family say the case highlights how sudden policy changes can disrupt the lives of long-term residents who have deep roots in Japanese society.

According to data released by Japan's Immigration Services Agency (ISA), visa applications reportedly dropped by around 96% after the new rules came into effect.
Reports said monthly applications fell from nearly 1,700 to only around 70 after the policy change.

Online Petition Gains Massive Support

The family's case has now become a major topic online, with thousands of people demanding that Japanese authorities reconsider the stricter rules.

An online petition supporting affected foreign business owners has already gathered more than 53,000 signatures.

Supporters are urging immigration authorities to evaluate applicants based on:

• Tax contributions
• Business history
• Employment records
• Community ties
• Long-term residency

instead of relying mainly on financial benchmarks and capital requirements.

Many supporters believe long-standing business owners who have integrated into Japanese society deserve more flexibility and humane treatment.

Activists Demand More Practical Immigration Policy

Immigration advocates and activists who attended the parliamentary rally argued that authorities should focus on the "substance" of a business rather than only its capital value.
Activist Taro Tsurugashima, who launched the online petition supporting the Kumar family and other affected residents, called for more practical and balanced immigration screening.

Supporters argued that people who have spent decades contributing to local communities should not suddenly face deportation because of revised financial conditions.

Debate Over Identity And Belonging In Japan

The Kumar family's situation has now opened a wider debate in Japan regarding immigration, identity and social belonging.

Japan has traditionally maintained strict immigration policies compared to several Western countries, even as the country faces labour shortages and an ageing population.
Critics say the current situation raises deeper questions about whether long-term foreign residents who contribute to society can truly feel secure in the country.

For many supporters, the issue is no longer just about visa paperwork - it is about families, children and lives built over decades.

The emotional nature of the case has especially resonated because the Kumar children reportedly grew up entirely in Japan and identify culturally and socially with Japanese society.

Public Sympathy Continues Growing

As public support for the Kumar family grows online, pressure is mounting on Japanese authorities to review the implementation of the new visa rules.

Many supporters are now calling for transitional policies or exemptions for long-term residents who have established businesses and stable lives in Japan over many years.
For now, however, the family remains uncertain about its future as immigration authorities continue reviewing the case.

The controversy has become one of the most widely discussed examples of how changing immigration policies can dramatically affect families who believed they had permanently built a life in another country.