IPPO Japan Visa Support Immigration Law firm
Residence Status/Corporate Support/Visa Support in Tokyo
Testimonials
Thai Restaurant “Thai Randou” & Honjo Thai Massage “Siwakahati”
Ms. Khun Kemjira - Thairandou Restaurant
Get to Know Ms. Khun Kemjira
Khun Kemjira currently holds a permanent resident visa and runs a Thai massage shop and a Thai restaurant in Saitama Prefecture. Previously, she was married for seven years to another Thai national with a permanent resident visa. After her divorce, she asked IPPO Administrative Services to assist with her visa renewal process.
Rabi: What kind of work are you doing now?
Khun Kemjira: I’m running the Thai massage shop. I’ve been doing it for many years, and I have many regular customers. Recently, I also started a Thai restaurant.
Actually, one of my regular Japanese customers really enjoyed the Thai dishes I cooked and said, “It’s so delicious—you should open a restaurant.” That’s how it started.
At first, I thought it would be impossible for me alone because of the language barrier. Then I found out that the same customer was also the building owner and offered to start it together, providing all the investment. I’m responsible for the restaurant’s operations. The massage shop is still open as usual, with two staff members. Around 2 PM, when the restaurant staff take a break, I go back to the massage shop or attend to reservations—so I manage both businesses efficiently.
Rabi: Why did you decide to consult IPPO?
Khun Kemjira: Actually, I started worrying about my visa just before the divorce. Both my ex-husband and I are Thai and held permanent resident visas. People around us were saying things like, “You won’t be able to stay in Japan” or “You’ll have to go back,” which made me very anxious. I couldn’t handle it myself, so I searched on Facebook and found IPPO, which seemed trustworthy, and decided to ask for their help.
About Permanent Resident Visa
Normally, if you are married to a Japanese national or permanent resident and have lived together in Japan for three or more years, there is a possibility of changing your visa to permanent resident status after divorce. However, if your spouse is also a foreigner holding a permanent resident visa, there are no clear standards regarding the number of years you lived together in Japan. In such cases, the visa may be denied depending on the screening results.
Ravi: How was your experience consulting IPPO?
Khun Kemjira: They were truly attentive, explaining everything carefully and clearly. I’ve been relying on them for about three years. They supported me with everything—from post-divorce visa procedures, necessary preparations, and name changes on my residence card, to consultations on immigration and taxes. When the visa result was delayed, I was very worried, especially since I had just started the Thai restaurant. I called them multiple times, and each time they responded kindly, which was reassuring.
Ravi: How did you feel when your visa was approved?
Khun Kemjira: I was so happy that I ran around crying! (laughs) Everyone at the shop was surprised and asked if someone had passed away, but when I explained, they all celebrated with me. I felt relieved knowing I no longer had to rely on my ex-husband’s visa and could continue working on my own. It also made me realize I need to properly manage my taxes and insurance.
Rabi: What kind of work are you doing now?
Khun Kemjira: After my divorce, many people told me, “Once you go back to Thailand, you won’t be able to come back.” So I hadn’t been able to visit. But now that my visa is approved, I’m thinking of visiting Thailand for the first time in a while. Still, I prefer living in Japan because I’m used to this life. I want to stabilize the massage shop and the Thai restaurant. I’ve also been invited by regular customers to open a sports massage shop in Nagano, which I’m considering. In addition, there’s a plan to start a company bringing people from Thailand to work in Japan, and I’ll consult IPPO about that as well.
Ravi: Would you recommend IPPO to others?
Khun Kemjira: Absolutely. I have IPPO flyers in my shop, and since I’ve been so well supported, I can confidently recommend them. Anyone struggling with visa issues should definitely consult them. I also always introduce them to my friends from Thailand, Vietnam, and Indonesia.
We sincerely thank Khun Kemjira for trusting IPPO with her post-divorce permanent resident visa procedures! Over the past three years, we’ve faced many challenges together, and we’ve seen how hard she has worked. When her visa was approved, we were truly overjoyed. Now, her massage shop and Thai restaurant are thriving, and her future business plans are gradually taking shape. We look forward to continuing to support her!
If she ever needs assistance again with visas, taxes, or company matters, she can contact us anytime.
Thank you also for participating in this interview.
 Thai Restaurant “Thai Randou”Hours: 11:00–14:00 (Lunch) / 19:30–24:00 (Karaoke Bar) Address: 2968-3 Nanahonki, Kamisato, Kodama-gun, Saitama 369-0306 Tel: 080-6680-2106 |  Honjo Thai Massage “Siwakahati”Hours: 12:00–0:00 Address: 1-5-8 Sakae, Honjo, Saitama 367-0046 (MRK462) Tel: 0495-71-8968 |
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Thank you for placing IPPO flyers in your store.
