Guidable Inc. Announces Emergency Transition Campaign for Hiring Foreign Residents Following the Suspension of Specified Skilled Worker Recruitment in the Food Service Industry After April 13

Guidable Inc. (Headquarters: Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director: Masaki Tanabe; hereinafter "Guidable"), which operates the foreign recruitment service "Guidable Jobs" (https://guidablejobs.jp/), is launching an emergency campaign to support food service companies rushing to hire foreign nationals already residing in Japan. This follows the announcement by the Immigration Services Agency that it will stop issuing Certificates of Eligibility for the Specified Skilled Worker (i) visa in the food service sector starting April 13, 2026. The offer is limited to the first 20 companies to apply.

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Background

On March 27, 2026, the Immigration Services Agency announced that the number of Specified Skilled Worker (i) visa holders in the food service sector reached approximately 46,000 as of the end of February 2026, and is expected to exceed the acceptance cap (50,000) around May. In response, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries and the Immigration Services Agency have decided not to issue Certificates of Eligibility for applications received on or after April 13, 2026.

Due to this measure, the recruitment route for food service companies to hire Specified Skilled Workers from overseas will effectively close after April 13. For the food and beverage industry, which faces a severe labor shortage, securing foreign talent is an urgent priority, and recruitment options will now be limited to foreign nationals already residing in Japan.

While platforms for hiring foreign residents are limited, Guidable Jobs has been ranked No. 1* as the foreign recruitment service chosen by HR and recruitment managers, and boasts the largest number of registered users in Japan at 470,000. We have a strong track record in reaching holders of status-based visas (Permanent Residents, Long-term Residents, Spouses of Japanese Nationals/Permanent Residents, etc., with no work restrictions) and Specified Skilled Workers already in Japan, with an average of 15 applications per month in the food service industry (combined total of status-based and Specified Skilled). Starting early before April 13 will provide a significant advantage in the recruitment competition.

*Survey method: Internet survey; Survey provider: Japan Trend Research

Three Major Emergency Support Campaigns

Application period: Until Thursday, April 30, 2026

Limited to the first 20 companies

Campaign 1: Priority job listing to boost application numbers

We will provide free placement in the "Premium Ad Slot," which is displayed at the top of search results and recommended jobs within Guidable Jobs. By securing a position that foreign job seekers see first, we help maximize the number of applications. This offer will end as soon as the 20-company limit is reached.

Campaign 2: First-month 5-application guarantee

If you do not receive at least 5 applications in the first month of your contract, we will carry over the shortfall to the following month. This minimizes the initial risk of recruitment activities and allows you to implement our service with peace of mind.

※ This guarantee applies to the "number of applications" and does not guarantee hiring or employment.

Campaign 3: Free filming, production, and distribution of vertical recruitment videos for social media (normally worth 300,000 yen)

We will provide completely free filming, production, and distribution of vertical recruitment videos for various social media platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook. We will summarize workplace environments and employee interviews in multiple languages to support brand appeal and application acquisition across multiple social channels.

Campaign conditions and notes:

・The first 20 companies will be accepted in the order of application after this press release is issued.

・The application guarantee in Campaign 2 is for customers with a contract of 6 months or longer.

・For Campaign 3, we provide one vertical recruitment video (normally worth 300,000 yen) per company for free.

・Each campaign is valid for applications submitted by Thursday, April 30, 2026.

The food service industry continues to face a severe labor shortage, and the active participation of foreign residents has become an essential option for companies. As this system change is expected to further accelerate the shift toward domestic hiring, Guidable will continue to support food service companies from recruitment to retention and active participation, ensuring they can take the step toward hiring foreign residents quickly and with peace of mind.

About Guidable Inc.

Guidable Inc. (https://guidable.co.jp/), under its mission of "Making the Japanese economy more multinational," provides services such as "Guidable Jobs," "Guidable Japan," and "Guidable Marketing." It is a foreign resident platform* with approximately 400,000 registered users across 229 countries and regions, and is ranked "No. 1 Foreign Recruitment Service Chosen by HR and Recruitment Managers."

※ Survey by Japan Trend Research, March 2022, via internet survey.

[Inquiries regarding this matter]

Guidable Public Relations

Tel: 03-6886-4008

E-mail: pr@guidable.co.jp