Japan tightens rules for foreigners wanting permanent residency

Japan tightened requirements on Thursday for foreigners seeking permanent residency, as Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi pushes to strengthen immigration controls.

Under new rules that will take effect in stages, foreign residents seeking permanent residency will have to demonstrate an above-average annual income and the ability to hold casual conversations in Japanese.

The application fee will also rise 20-fold from Thursday. At an immigration office in central Tokyo visited by AFP this week, hundreds of people queued to complete their procedures before the fee increase.

“I understand that over-accepting foreigners... might dilute Japan’s unique culture. But at the same time, given its low birth rate and ageing population, Japan has to accept foreigners,” said American-born university student Yujie Chono.

The 22-year-old, who speaks fluent Japanese, told AFP he had been waiting for five hours to submit his paperwork.

Previous guidelines did not set specific thresholds for income, pension contributions or Japanese-language skills.

Japan is facing a rapidly ageing population and labour shortages across several sectors, while opposition to immigration has been growing. Takaichi has responded by pushing for tighter regulations on foreign nationals.

“As the number of foreign residents in Japan increases, the government is facing the fact that some citizens feel anxiety and a sense of unfairness,” Takaichi said in an extended post on X on Sunday. She said the government was pursuing “orderly coexistence” with foreign nationals.

Programmes to attract international workers have fuelled public concern, while anti-immigration sentiment has spread on social media. False claims have also circulated widely, including allegations that foreigners receive a significant share of welfare payments and are making Japanese streets less safe.

Experts and many business leaders, however, say Japan needs more foreign workers to sustain its economy.

The Nikkei business daily recently argued that Japan should “stop viewing foreigners merely as a temporary labour force” and instead promote their long-term settlement by expanding Japanese-language education and improving their treatment.

Anti-immigration sentiment

Foreigners were a major issue in last year’s upper house election, which saw a sharp rise in support for the “Japanese-first” Sanseito party. The party describes immigration as a “silent invasion”.

The new permanent residency rules come after the ruling Liberal Democratic Party last year moved to tighten requirements for business manager visas, meaning entrepreneurs will have to leave Japan if they fail to meet the new conditions.

Some foreign residents seek permanent residency for greater long-term stability, employment freedom and acceptance in Japanese society. Those without permanent residency can also face difficulties securing mortgages.

The new changes may prevent some people from applying for permanent residency but are not expected to immediately force anyone to leave Japan.

Under the new regulations, the application fee for permanent residency will rise to 200,000 yen ($1,275) from 10,000 yen.

Applicants must also demonstrate an “understanding” of social rules and show expected pension benefits equivalent to those of someone who has paid into the pension system for 30 years.

Chono, who has lived in Japan for a decade, said he understood both sides of the debate but believed the country needed young people “to support its future”.

“In recent years, I believe there had been a strong push to promote cultural diversity. The momentum has stalled, perhaps, and maybe it may never fully return,” he said.