Tokyo, Japan – The Japanese government is set to tighten the rules for permanent residency, a move that comes amid a broader shift in the country's political landscape. Starting October 1, applicants for permanent residency will be required to demonstrate that their annual household income exceeds the Japanese average and show proficiency in the Japanese language. Additionally, applicants must have a pension pot equivalent to 30 years of payouts. These new requirements will be applied retroactively to applications submitted since April.
Abdul, a tech engineer from Bangladesh who has lived in Japan for nearly eight years, expressed concern about the changes. He is preparing to apply for both permanent residency and citizenship but is aware that he may need to consider opportunities outside Japan if his applications are rejected. "I have to be prepared if both of my applications are rejected," he stated.
Sarah Nelkin, an American resident in Japan for 14 years, also fears she may not qualify under the new rules. She submitted her application for permanent residency shortly before the announcement and is contemplating applying for Japanese citizenship, which would require her to relinquish her US citizenship. "I would rather not give up my American passport," Nelkin said, citing her family ties in the US.
Risa Hagiwara, a professor of economics at Meikai University, noted that the changes reflect a shift towards a more selective immigration policy, which may conflict with Japan's need for foreign labor due to a shrinking population. Hagiwara emphasized that Japan must consider the long-term implications of its immigration policies as the foreign resident population grows.
Japan's foreign resident population reached a record 4.12 million, or about 3 percent of the total population, as of the end of 2025. Government estimates suggest that this figure could reach the OECD average of 10 percent by 2070. However, the number of Japanese nationals has declined by over 900,000 between January 2025 and 2026, highlighting the demographic challenges the country faces.
The tightening of immigration rules occurs alongside a rightward political shift in Japan. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has called for a reevaluation of policies regarding immigrants from different cultures. Public sentiment has also shifted, with a recent survey indicating that 56.3 percent of Japanese people oppose accepting more foreigners, an increase from 35.6 percent in 2024. Both Abdul and Nelkin have noted a rise in negative sentiment towards foreigners in recent years.