Japan tightens permanent residency

FOREIGNER ISSUES: Last year’s upper house election saw the sharp rise of the ‘Japanese first’ Sanseito party, which describes immigration as a ‘silent invasion’

Japan yesterday toughened requirements for foreigners wanting to obtain permanent residency, as part of Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s push to tighten immigration controls.

Under new rules that would come into effect in stages, foreign residents wishing to stay in Japan permanently will have to prove their annual income is above average and they can carry casual conversations in Japanese.

Application fees would also rise 20-fold.

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi speaks at the UN General Assembly in New York on Tuesday last week.

Photo: AFP

At one immigration office in central Tokyo this week, hundreds of people queued, hoping to wrap up procedures before the price spike.

“I understand that over-accepting foreigners ... might dilute Japan’s unique culture. But at the same time, given its low birthrate and aging population, Japan has to accept foreigners,” said US-born university student Yujie Chono, who was among those waiting.

He said he had been waiting for five hours to file his paperwork.

Previous guidelines did not lay out specific thresholds for income, pension or language skills. Even though Japan has a rapidly aging population and is experiencing labor shortages in many sectors, opposition to immigration is growing, prompting a push by Takaichi 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 wrote on X, adding that she was pushing for “orderly coexistence” with foreign nationals.

Programs to attract international workers have fueled public worry. Anti-immigration sentiment has spread across social media and false claims have circulated widely, including that a significant portion of welfare payments in Japan go to foreigners and that they are making Japanese streets less safe.

Experts and many business leaders warn that Japan must welcome more foreign workers to sustain itself.

“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,” the Nikkei said.

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

The new rules for permanent residency come after the ruling Liberal Democratic Party last year pushed to tighten regulations for business manager visas, meaning entrepreneurs would be forced to leave Japan if they do not meet the new conditions.

Some foreign residents seek permanent residency to secure long-term stability, employment freedom and to earn trust within Japanese society. Those without permanent residency often have a difficult time seeking mortgages, for example.

The changes might prevent some people from applying for permanent residency, but should not immediately push anyone out of the country.

Under the regulations, the application fee for permanent residency will soar to ￥200,000 (US$1,263) from ￥10,000. Candidates must also show “understanding” of social rules and demonstrate expected pension benefits equivalent to someone who has paid pension insurance for 30 years.