All articles tagged with #foreign residents
Japan is tightening visa and permanent-residency rules, hiking fees and imposing higher income and language requirements, fueling anxiety among long-term foreign residents and workers who fear reduced opportunities and possible departure as the economy faces a shrinking workforce.
Japan is tightening its business manager visa program, raising the capital requirement to 30 million yen, requiring a Japanese employee, and enforcing stricter documentation with a three-year grace period to comply, as part of broader immigration and tourism controls. The changes threaten foreign entrepreneurs and residents—such as Budhathoki and her family in Tokyo’s Okubo district—who face expulsion or failed renewals despite years of investment, highlighting tensions between aging demographics, labor shortages, and immigration policy.
Despite Japan's record high of 3.9 million foreign residents in 2025 and political focus on immigration, experts argue that a punitive 'stick over carrot' approach does not effectively promote their integration into society.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's government is working on revising policies regarding foreign nationals by January to enforce stricter measures against law violators, aiming to address public concerns while distancing from xenophobia.
Three foreign-born residents of Japan have filed a lawsuit against the national and local governments, alleging illegal questioning by police based on racial profiling. This is the first such lawsuit in Japan and comes amid a rise in foreign workers in the country. The plaintiffs demand recognition that it is illegal for police to stop and question people based on race, nationality, or ethnicity, and seek damages. They hope to raise awareness and make life easier for others with foreign roots in Japan.
Japan's population of Japanese citizens has experienced its fastest decline ever, while the number of foreign residents has reached a record high of nearly 3 million people, according to government data. This highlights the increasing role of foreign nationals in Japanese society as the country's population continues to shrink. The population of Japanese nationals fell for the 14th consecutive year, with a decrease of about 800,000 people. The overall population in Japan declined to 125.41 million people, a decrease of about 511,000. The government plans to allocate significant funds to address the declining birth rate and support parents.