TOKYO, May 02 (News On Japan) –
A resort in Choshi, Chiba Prefecture, identified for providing certainly one of Japan’s earliest dawn views, has remained closed months after its sudden suspension of operations in late 2025, as an investigation reveals the operator behind the property acquired dozens of services nationwide, with a minimum of 24 now shut or out of enterprise, elevating questions on a enterprise mannequin allegedly tied to visa acquisition for Chinese traders.
The “Hotel New Daishin,” positioned in Choshi, had been standard for its open-air baths overlooking a pure backyard and recent seafood sourced regionally, however inquiries started flooding the native tourism affiliation round November 2025 from visitors reporting they might not contact the resort.
A reporter visiting the positioning on December twenty sixth discovered a discover studying “Closed Today” posted on the entrance, whereas the corporate president, whose agency had acquired the resort in 2024, apologized and cited growing older infrastructure, saying renovations and main repairs have been deliberate with a reopening focused for the next spring.
However, when reporters returned on April twenty eighth, the constructing remained darkish with no seen indicators of development, and the closure discover nonetheless in place.
Further reporting uncovered that the identical firm had acquired a minimum of 37 lodges and nursing care services, primarily throughout the Kanto area, since 2020, with a number of sources confirming that a minimum of 24 of those services at the moment are both closed or have ceased operations.
At a nursing care facility in Funabashi, Chiba Prefecture, acquired in 2023, operations deteriorated quickly as monetary circumstances worsened.
The former facility director mentioned hire, utilities, and different bills went unpaid, including that demand notices had piled up, and by October 2025 the power was pressured to droop operations earlier than finally shutting down, displacing round 15 residents to different establishments.
The director described the scenario as devastating, recalling employees repeatedly asking whether or not salaries could be paid, one thing by no means skilled earlier than, and mentioned the shortcoming to pay wages created what felt like a “living hell.”
An analogous sample emerged at a facility in Kanagawa Prefecture, acquired in 2022 and compelled to shut in September 2025 after funding cuts, with the previous director noting that working budgets have been lowered months earlier than closure on directions attributed to the corporate president.
As closures mounted, questions grew over the corporate’s aggressive acquisition technique.
Interviews with former workers pointed to what they described as a poorly managed M&A strategy, during which services have been bought for between 1 million yen and 5 million yen and resold to Chinese consumers for between 40 million yen and as a lot as 100 million yen relying on location.
According to a number of former employees, the president, who’s of Chinese origin, bought acquired Japanese lodges and care services at excessive costs to Chinese house owners whereas retaining operational management by way of his firm.
Despite inside warnings about persistent losses, workers mentioned the president continued acquisitions, reportedly insisting on purchases primarily based on location alone.
Evidence obtained by reporters, together with promotional supplies from an funding seminar held in Beijing, suggests the enterprise might have been linked to Japan’s “Business Manager” visa system, which permits overseas nationals to reside in Japan in the event that they function a enterprise.
Former workers mentioned the president promoted investments by emphasizing that possession of such services may facilitate acquiring residency visas, with one stating the first motivation mentioned internally was visa acquisition.
Another former worker added that charges paid by Chinese consumers appeared to incorporate prices associated to visa processing.
When confronted in late January about unpaid wages and broader operations past the Choshi resort, the president declined to reply straight, stating solely that any interview would require session with authorized counsel and couldn’t proceed and not using a lawyer current.
Source: TBS