Immigration Yudetaro chief defends hiring foreign workers amid backlash

[thomas]

Yudetaro, one of Japan's best-known low-cost soba chains, has become an unexpected part of a wider debate over immigration and labour. The company employs more than 500 foreign workers, many from Myanmar, Vietnam and Nepal, and its president, Ikeda Tomoaki (池田知昭), has been outspoken in defending them. Posting frank opinions on social media, he has pushed back against anti-immigration rhetoric and argued that migrant staff are essential as labour shortages worsen and everyday businesses struggle to find workers. His stance has drawn attention at a time when immigration has become a more contested issue in Japan.

Yudetaro

Yudetaro is one of Japan's best-known and largest soba chains, specialising in quick, low-cost buckwheat noodles while emphasising quality uncommon in the fast-casual sector.

• JREF
• 27 Apr 2026
• Views: 131
• Category: Fast Food

The company hires at a pace of 60 to 70 people a year, and the number of foreign nationals serving as store managers rose to 12 this spring. It has also introduced a scholarship program and is building a system to help as many people as possible continue working for the long term. However, criticism of foreign workers is constantly seen on Facebook. Comparing them with Japanese workers, Ikeda carefully explains that foreign employees face stricter labor conditions and workplace environments. Still users respond with a series of rebuttals such as, "You're not hiring Japanese people and are using foreigners cheaply just for profit," "If you're going to spend extra money on foreigners, you should raise wages until Japanese applicants flood in," and, "With advances in AI, more women entering the workforce and later retirement, there can't be an absolute labor shortage." Ikeda explained, "It's unavoidable that some people dislike foreigners. But there is a significant number of people who cannot distinguish between overstayers, Specified Skilled Workers and highly skilled professionals, who seriously believe what amounts to false rumors."

President of Japan soba chain Yudetaro defends hiring foreigners despite backlash - The Mainichi

TOKYO -- The president of buckwheat noodle chain operator Yudetaro System began posting on the company's official Facebook page in late February, push

mainichi.jp

 

[Lothor]

Yudetaro, one of Japan's best-known low-cost soba chains, has become an unexpected part of a wider debate over immigration and labour. The company employs more than 500 foreign workers, many from Myanmar, Vietnam and Nepal, and its president, Ikeda Tomoaki (池田知昭), has been outspoken in defending them. Posting frank opinions on social media, he has pushed back against anti-immigration rhetoric and argued that migrant staff are essential as labour shortages worsen and everyday businesses struggle to find workers. His stance has drawn attention at a time when immigration has become a more contested issue in Japan.

Yudetaro

Yudetaro is one of Japan's best-known and largest soba chains, specialising in quick, low-cost buckwheat noodles while emphasising quality uncommon in the fast-casual sector.

• JREF
• 27 Apr 2026
• Views: 131
• Category: Fast Food

President of Japan soba chain Yudetaro defends hiring foreigners despite backlash - The Mainichi

TOKYO -- The president of buckwheat noodle chain operator Yudetaro System began posting on the company's official Facebook page in late February, push

mainichi.jp

What a cheering article! Thank you.