Japan introduces stricter requirements for permanent residency of foreign nationals

Japan implemented stricter requirements for foreign nationals seeking permanent residency on Thursday, as part of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's effort to control immigration more closely. The new regulations, which are being introduced in stages, require foreign residents to demonstrate that their annual income is above average and that they can communicate in basic Japanese. Application fees increased dramatically, rising twentyfold from the start of the new rules.

The price increase prompted hundreds of people to queue at an immigration office in central Tokyo earlier this week, hoping to submit their applications before the change came into effect. Previous guidelines had not established specific requirements regarding income levels, pension contributions, or language ability. Yujie Chono, an American university student, spent five hours filing his paperwork. Speaking fluent Japanese to the news agency AFP, he acknowledged public concerns about accepting too many foreigners, but pointed out that Japan's declining birth rate and ageing population mean the country needs to continue recruiting foreign workers.

Although Japan faces significant demographic challenges and labour shortages in many industries, opposition to immigration has been growing. Partly responsible for this trend are false claims spreading on social media, including misinformation about welfare payments to foreigners. In a statement on social media, Takaichi acknowledged that "as the number of foreign residents increases, we are seeing citizens express anxiety and concerns about fairness." She stated that she was working towards "orderly coexistence" between Japanese citizens and foreign nationals.