A Korean graduate of Fukuoka-based Nakamura Culinary School has become the first foreigner to receive a “Japanese chef” visa from the national government. Sunho Park, 26, graduated from the school this spring and now works full-time at Tatsumi Sushi in Hakata Ward. Park’s visa is a skilled labor visa. Until now, foreign chefs were only granted skilled labor visas to work in foreign restaurants, but the government has expanded the category to include Japanese cuisine in light of UNESCO designating “washoku” as an intangible cultural heritage last year as well as demands from culinary schools. Park says his dream is to open an authentic sushi restaurant back home in Korea. Source: Nishinippon Shimbun 6/21
Photo by Resor till Japan (CC BY-SA)
