Despite the fact that last year the number of people settling in Japan for long-term study or work reached a record high due to the reliable infrastructure and safety of the world's fourth-largest economy, recent tightening of government immigration policies has caused concern among those who consider Japan their second home.
Japan traditionally had a strict migration policy and a homogeneous population. However, facing a growing demographic crisis, the country gradually opened up to foreign workers and attracted more international tourists. Nevertheless, these efforts have not led to complete success.
Problems such as overtourism and reports of local rule violations by foreign residents have become a catalyst for the rise of the 'Japan First' policy and changed the course of a society that sought to become more open and diverse.
Last month, the Japanese government, led by conservative Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, announced an increase in several visa fees, which is part of a series of stricter measures against foreigners. Under the new rules, those intending to live in Japan permanently will have to pay significantly more—200,000 yen ($1,257 USD) to obtain permanent resident status.
Prices for other work and student visas will also increase. Justice Minister Hiroshi Hiraguchi stated that the goal of raising fees is to create 'an orderly society where native Japanese and foreigners coexist.'
The most serious changes affect those planning to stay in the country the longest—applicants for permanent residency, which grants the right to work, unlimited entry, and indefinite stay. Starting in October, applicants must demonstrate an income level above the average household income in Japan. Furthermore, starting next April, permanent residency applicants must have a projected pension fund equivalent to 30 years of payments and possess an intermediate level of Japanese language proficiency.
Hiraguchi noted at a press conference last month that since permanent residency is the most stable form of stay, this revision introduces necessary updates to the requirements for an independent life and national interests to ensure that applicants do not become a burden on society.
Earlier this year, the government also tightened rules for foreign business owners, increasing the capital requirement for the business manager visa, popular among entrepreneurs, from five million yen ($31,000 USD) to 30 million yen ($126,000 USD).
Last year, the number of foreign residents reached 4.1 million, a record figure accounting for about 3.4% of Japan's population. The largest group consists of Chinese citizens, numbering over 930,000, as well as about 70,000 Americans.
These recent changes followed reports that some foreign residents were raising housing prices or avoiding payment of their health insurance. Japan has a national healthcare system that requires all residents to pay monthly or annually for access to subsidized medical services. Others were accused of using relatively accessible residency rules by setting up shell companies, which prompted calls to close loopholes.
The rise in tourism also irritated some local residents, who accused tourists of causing inconvenience and increasing the cost of living—problems that, according to political analysts, are sometimes wrongly attributed to foreigners.
This anger contributed to the growth of the Sanseitō party, a small far-right party that opposed immigrants in recent elections, putting pressure on the ruling Liberal Democratic Party. However, the new government policies have caused anxiety among foreigners who have built lives in the country.
Some business owners complained that the new sixfold increase in the capital requirement significantly reduced their cash flow, making their businesses unsustainable. It is reported that many Indian and Nepali restaurants were forced to close after their owners—most of whom came from their home countries seeking business opportunities in Japan—reported visa renewal rejections.
One of those affected by the new rules is a transgender teacher from the US, who asked CNN to remain anonymous for fear of her immigration status. Despite living in Japan with her American husband for almost 10 years and speaking Japanese fluently, she told CNN that her plans to obtain permanent residency had become more complicated. She noted that 'our long-term goal has always been to obtain permanent residency, and it is particularly prohibitively expensive under the proposed guidelines' and added that it was 'obviously something we could save up for, but it is a completely unforeseen expense.'
Her gender identity also complicates the situation. Her passport currently lists her as male, and she is married to a woman. She cannot change this because Japan does not recognize same-sex marriage. This eliminates the possibility of using a spousal visa in Japan, which could have served as a backup option for staying in the country if her current work visa was denied.
Kazuki Yuda, a Tokyo immigration lawyer from Touch Immigration Law Firm, reported that inquiries have recently increased as people rushed to apply before the new changes took effect. He stated that the new rules are too strict and expects a sharp decline in the number of people meeting the requirements for permanent residency.
Takaichi's government is balancing the need to quell public discontent, upon which its political opponents rely, with the urgent need to replenish the country's workforce, while its neighbors, from South Korea to Singapore, are easing rules to attract young talent.
Birth rates in Japan—the average number of children a woman is expected to have in her lifetime—fell to the lowest in a decade last year at 1.14, although official statistics showed a slight increase in the first half of this year. To maintain a stable population without immigration, a birth rate of at least 2.1 is required. As a result, Japan finds itself in a precarious position, caught between a shortage of local population to fill jobs and distrust of immigrants who could provide the workforce.
For some, Japan has already lost its appeal as a place to work due to the yen falling to 40-year lows against the dollar. Now, concerns about visa costs and uncertainty are making some think twice. One foreign student wrote on X: 'As a recent graduate, such fees would be impossible for me. I am barely making ends meet even now.' She continued: 'Looking at the Japanese market in 10 years, I sincerely feel that everything is heading towards serious problems.'