Takaichi tightens rules for foreigners seeking permanent residency

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1. 47m ago

   Japan Tightens Permanent Residency Rules And Hikes Fees

   Japan implemented stricter permanent residency rules and raised visa issuance fees on Thursday under Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi. Foreign nationals applying for permanent residency now face higher income requirements, needing to earn more than the average Japanese person, alongside Japanese language skill mandates. Additionally, permanent residency fees surged by twentyfold or two thousand percent to 200,000 yen. The changes sparked huge queues at immigration offices ahead of the rollout and fueled concerns over xenophobia.

   Why it matters

   The policy shifts fulfill election pledges spearheaded by conservative leader Sanae Takaichi following her supermajority election victory in February. The government instituted the measures amid public anxiety over foreign nationals. The sudden overhaul and dramatic fee hike triggered a rush of applicants trying to beat the deadline.

   What is confirmed

   • Japan toughened requirements for foreigners wanting to obtain permanent residency on Thursday.
   • Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi pushed the immigration controls and sweeping changes.
   • Permanent residency fees for foreign nationals increased by twenty-fold to 200,000 yen.
   • Foreigners seeking permanent residency must now earn more than the average Japanese person and meet language skill requirements.
   • Japan immigration offices were swamped by huge queues ahead of the fee hike taking effect.

   Still unconfirmed

   • The harsher permanent residency rules and hiked visa fees are sparking xenophobia worries.

   What to watch next

   • Further government data on permanent residency application volumes under the new 200,000 yen fee.
   • Public and political reaction to the heightened income and language requirements for foreign nationals.
   Sources used for this update (23)

   1. The Japan Times — Japan officially overhauls permanent residency rules
   2. Bloomberg.com — Japan’s Takaichi Touts Sweeping Changes in Immigration Rules
   3. Japan Today — Japan to hike residency visa issuance fees from Thursday
   4. BBC — Japan raises permanent residency fees for foreign nationals by twenty-fold
   5. The New York Times — Japan Raises Residency Fees 2,000 Percent Amid ‘Anxiety’ Over Foreigners
   6. Euronews.com — Takaichi tightens rules for foreigners seeking permanent residency
   7. sg.news.yahoo.com — Japan immigration offices swamped by huge queues ahead of 20-fold visa fee hike
   8. The Telegraph — Japan raises residency fees for migrants by 3,000pc
   9. NewsCord — Japan Tightens Permanent Residency Rules, Raising Fee To 200,000 Yen: 13 outlets compared
   10. SoraNews24 — Japan announces new permanent residency guidelines, foreigners must earn more than average Japanese person
   11. 毎日新聞 — Japan's harsher permanent residency rules, hiked visa fees begin, sparking xenophobia worries
   12. Tokyo Paladin with Jake Adelstein — The Unwelcome (Tatami) Mat
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