Emergency bulletin】 Acceptance of specified skills No.1 in the food service industry to be suspended; applications filed after April 13 will be "in principle not permitted".

We have received very important and urgent news for the food service industry.

From the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries and the Immigration and Immigration Control Agency,Suspension of Acceptance of Specified Technical Skills 1 in the Food Service Industrywas announced.

For businesses that have been planning to hire, this is extremely important content that will affect future responses. We will focus on the key points.

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Why is it being "suspended"?

In the specified skills system, there is an upper limit to the number of workers expected to be accepted in each field. In the food service industry, the upper limit is set at 50,000,This limit is expected to be reached around May of this year.and therefore, in accordance with the law, a temporary stop (suspension of new grants and permits) will be imposed.

Schedule and Impact of Operational Changes

The fork in the road to destiny,April 13 of this year.

1. when inviting someone from overseas (Certificate of Eligibility: COE)

• Applications filed after April 13: allnot grantedThe first two are the following.
• Applications filed prior to April 13: The applications will be issued on a rolling basis, but significant delays can be expected as applications for changes in Japan are given priority.

2. when switching from another status in Japan (permission for change of status of residence)

• Applications filed after April 13: as a general rulenot permittingThe first two are the following.
• Exceptional cases (in order of priority):
  1. Those who have completed technical training (food service production work at medical and welfare facilities) and are transitioning to the food service industry.
  2. Those who already have a permit for "Designated Activities (Preparation for Transition to Designated Skill 1)" *However, depending on the situation, you may be guided to change to "Designated Activities" instead of "Designated Skills".

3. those already working as Specified Technical Skills 1 (job change/renewal)

• Application for change due to job change: They will be reviewed as usual (possible after April 13).
• Renewal of period of stay: You will be screened as usual. If you are currently employed, please do not worry.

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Three "caveats" businesses face

Item	Contents to be noted
Discontinuation of new hiring	After April 13, it will be virtually impossible to recruit new recruits from abroad or change status from international students.
Stricter Transitional Preparation Visa	In principle, changing to "Designated Activities (Preparation for Transition)" is also not permitted. The easy way out of this situation is blocked by saying, "First, I will start with specified activities.
Confirmation of Council membership	Whether or not you have applied to join the Food Industry Specific Skills Council by March 27 will make the difference between the success or failure of some applications.

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Summary: Future actions

This measure is only a temporary suspension due to "reaching the upper limit". However, there is no indication at this time as to when the next quota will be re-set or resumed.

Whether it will be accepted by "April 13th."will be a matter of life and death. If there are candidates who are currently undergoing the procedures, we need to complete the application as soon as possible. In addition, for future hiring, we are forced to shift to hiring **experienced workers (career changers)** who already have the "specified skill No. 1 (food service)" qualification.