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Japan’s tighter immigration controls yielding results

Release Date
2026-04-09
Media
Japan Times
Summary
Japan’s tightened immigration controls are producing measurable effects even as foreign arrivals reach record highs. In 2025, arrivals exceeded 42.4 million and foreign residents rose to 4.13 million, while the government’s “Zero Plan” strengthened enforcement against overstayers and irregular migrants.

Key outcomes include a second consecutive decline in overstayers (down to 68,488), increased enforcement actions, and over 17,000 deportations or departures. Authorities also intensified measures such as residence status revocations, stricter entry screening, and more escorted deportations.

Asylum policy changes have reduced applications and increased processing efficiency. Applications fell to 11,298, while screening accelerated and backlog processing improved. A new “Category B” classification sharply increased, limiting stay and work permissions for applicants deemed unlikely to qualify. Refugee recognition remains low, with 187 approvals, alongside complementary and humanitarian protections.

Despite stricter controls, inbound travel continues to grow strongly, driven mainly by short-term visitors from neighboring Asian countries.

Overall, Japan is tightening immigration enforcement while trying to balance faster processing and reduced irregular stays with the need to sustain foreign labor inflows amid demographic decline.
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Immigration Policy

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