Tokyo, Japan – The Japanese government is tightening the rules for permanent residency as part of a broader political shift in the country. Starting October 1, applicants for permanent residency will be required to demonstrate that their annual household income exceeds the Japanese average and possess Japanese-language proficiency. Additionally, they must have a pension pot equivalent to 30 years of payouts. These changes 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 new regulations. He is preparing to apply for both permanent residency and citizenship but is aware that he may need to seek 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 of the changes. If her application is denied, she plans to apply for Japanese citizenship, which would require her to renounce her US citizenship. "I would rather not give up my American passport," Nelkin said, citing personal reasons for wanting to retain her citizenship.
Risa Hagiwara, a professor of economics at Meikai University, noted that these 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. Japan's foreign resident population has been growing, reaching a record 4.12 million, or about 3 percent of the total population, as of the end of 2025. Estimates suggest that this population could reach the OECD average of 10 percent by 2070.
Hagiwara emphasized the importance of considering the long-term integration of foreign workers into Japanese society. "If Japan wants to rely on foreign workers to address labor shortages, it also needs to consider what happens after they come to Japan," she said.
The tightening of immigration rules coincides with a rightward political shift in Japan. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has called for a reconsideration of policies allowing in individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds. Public sentiment has also shifted, with a recent survey indicating that 56.3 percent of Japanese people oppose accepting more foreigners, a significant increase from 35.6 percent in 2024. Both Abdul and Nelkin have noted a change in attitudes towards foreigners in Japan, with increased expressions of discrimination and hostility.
"Before 2024, I never felt any discrimination against foreigners, but recently there has been a shift … especially online," Abdul remarked. Nelkin echoed these sentiments, stating that even her peers have become more vocal in their negative views towards foreigners.