Japan suspended new foreign worker applications in its food services sector from 13 April, after the industry came close to filling its cap under the country's specified skilled worker programme (a scheme introduced in 2019 to address labour shortages in selected industries). Of the roughly 50,000 workers permitted in food services through fiscal year 2028, around 46,000 had already been employed as of late February, with authorities warning the ceiling could be reached within weeks. Restaurant operators across the country, many of whom rely heavily on staff from South and East Asia, say the freeze will deepen an already severe staffing crunch, while rural businesses and advocacy groups are calling on the government to consult affected sectors and apply more flexible regional limits before finalising broader immigration policy changes.