Japan’s new rules threaten to take spice out of biryaniーNHK WORLD-JAPAN NEWS

追加: 2026-04-29

[00:00:00]The South Asian rice dish biryani has been gaining popularity here in Japan in recent years. But major immigration policy changes have many foreign workers who make it worried they may have to close up shop or even leave the country.

[00:00:18]A delicious aroma fills the kitchen.

[00:00:21]Mutton and spices are being carefully cooked.

[00:00:24]Next, they're mixed into a big pot of basmati rice.

[00:00:29]The result, [music] biryani, one of the hottest dishes right now among Japan's foodies. [music] According to Google Trends, interest in biryani has been steadily rising in Japan in the last [music] few years.

[00:00:45]And Tokyo's biryani scene already has a star chef. Meet Osawa Takamasa.

[00:00:52]Five years ago, he opened a restaurant specializing in biryani.

[00:00:57]It's been fully booked ever since.

[00:01:02]Biryani is a feast, and it's a feast because it's incredibly delicious. Japan already has so many great foods, but biryani wasn't really part of that until recently. I believe it's now going to be a staple.

[00:01:17]Biryani's popularity has grown in line with an increase in workers from South Asia.

[00:01:23]About 300,000 Nepalese people live in Japan, and 1/3 of them work in food and hospitality.

[00:01:36]In Nepal, there are only a few companies, and salaries are low.

[00:01:42]That's why I came to Japan.

[00:01:47]Panday Binod is running restaurants in Chiba Prefecture near Tokyo.

[00:01:58]His original biryani, rich and sweetness and spices, is their signature dish.

[00:02:04]It's become popular among locals, and business has been steady.

[00:02:10]But now, uncertainty is casting a shadow over Binod and other Nepalese restaurant owners in Japan.

[00:02:20]Last October, Japan's government tightened the rules for business manager residency status.

[00:02:27]The minimum capital requirement rose sixfold to 30 million yen, or about 190,000 [music] US dollars.

[00:02:35]Owners must now hire at least one full-time employee, limited to eligible workers such as Japanese nationals or permanent residents.

[00:02:45]They also have to meet Japanese language [music] requirements.

[00:02:51]Holders of the status must meet the requirements within 3 years from when the new rules began.

[00:02:58]>> [music] >> The Justice Ministry says the changes were made in light of concerns about the immigration system being abused.

[00:03:08]Officials say they discovered numerous shell companies with no business activities.

[00:03:15]An expert warns the impact of stricter resident status could extend beyond business owners.

[00:03:24]If you restrict the resident status of the primary holder, it affects not just that person, but also two or three family members who depend on them. It also impacts the people they employ and the families, too. So, the overall effect becomes quite significant.

[00:03:42]For small business owners like Binod, these changes pose a serious challenge.

[00:03:53]If it were around 10 million yen, maybe small business owners like us could manage. But 30 million? That's very difficult.

[00:04:07]Binod has been living in Japan with his wife for a decade. He had hoped to bring his children from Nepal in the future and run the business together, but now he says he's reconsidering those plans.

[00:04:22]If I bring my children here now, I don't think they'll have a future. I want to continue my business in Japan, but because of the visa situation, I may have to give up on that idea.

[00:04:36]Amid growing uncertainty, Binod has come to this gathering of the local Nepali community to learn more and share ideas.

[00:04:45]Many participants raised concerns about the residency issue.

[00:04:51]If we can't keep the business running, the employees and even our families might have to return to our home countries. I think that could lead to quite serious problems.

[00:05:04]For small restaurants, it became common for one owner to manage multiple locations alone just to survive.

[00:05:10]Some have already decided to go back to Nepal.

[00:05:16]In our community alone, I've heard of at least three cases where owners shut down their restaurants and returned to Nepal with their families.

[00:05:25]And since it's been less than a year since the rules changed, we expect more cases like this going forward.

[00:05:37]>> [music] >> Biryani is becoming more familiar in Japan.

[00:05:41]But the people driving the trend are increasingly on edge. [music] The flavors and cultures that have taken root in society may begin to [music] fade.