Japan tightens permanent residency rules
Japan toughened on Thursday requirements for foreigners wanting to obtain permanent residency, as part of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s push to tighten immigration controls.
Under new rules that will 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 will also rise 20-fold.
Even though Japan has a rapidly ageing population and is suffering labor shortages in many sectors, opposition to immigration is growing. 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, however, that Japan must welcome more foreign workers to sustain itself. Japan needs to open its doors to more foreigners, the Nikkei business daily said in a recent editorial.
