Japan Immigration News

(CNN)With Japan tightening rules for foreign residents, some wonder if it’s time to say ‘sayonara’

Release Date: 2026-09-03
Media: CNN
Summary: Japan is tightening immigration rules even as it faces a severe demographic and labor shortage. From October, visa fees will rise sharply, with permanent residency applications increasing twentyfold to ¥200,000. Permanent residency requirements will also become stricter, including higher income, pension, and Japanese-language standards, while business manager visas now require much more capital.

The measures follow public concern over overtourism, alleged abuse of immigration rules, unpaid health insurance, and rising support for “Japan-first” politics. However, foreign residents and immigration professionals warn that the tougher rules could make long-term settlement and business increasingly difficult.

Japan now has a record 4.1 million foreign residents, yet its fertility rate has fallen to 1.14, leaving the country increasingly dependent on foreign labor. With the weak yen already reducing Japan’s attractiveness, higher visa costs and greater uncertainty could further discourage skilled workers and long-term residents just as Japan needs them most.
Tags: Immigration Policy

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2026-09-03

With Japan tightening rules for foreign residents, some wonder if it’s time to say ‘sayonara’(CNN)

Immigration Policy

2026-09-02

Japan | New residence permit fees and payment methods effective Oct. 1(BAL Immigration Law)

Immigration Policy

2026-09-01

Japan gov't seeks major budget hike for immigration control, Japanese language measures(The Mainichi)

Immigration Policy

2026-08-28

Japan to Significantly Increase Immigration and Residence Permit Fees from October 1, 2026(Newland Chase)

Immigration Policy

2026-08-27

Japan's Justice Ministry to double immigration-related budget for FY 2027(The Mainichi)

Immigration Policy

2026-08-26

Justice Ministry eyes budget boost for policies on foreign nationals(Japan Times)

Immigration Policy

2026-08-25

Japan adopts ordinance to raise foreign nationals’ residency fees from October(Japan Times)

Immigration Policy

2026-08-25

Japan sets financial hardship, humanitarian need criteria for visa fee cuts(The Mainichi)

Immigration Policy

2026-08-25

Japan to hike residence permit procedure fees for foreign nationals from Oct.(NHK)

Immigration Policy

2026-08-13

Japan Moving Fast to Tighten Regulations on Foreigners(nippon.com)

Immigration Policy

2026-08-10

56% in Japan Now Oppose More Foreign Settlement, Up From 36% in 2024(Tokyo Weekender)

Immigration Policy

2026-08-09

Japan Immigration Agency Begins Sharing Information on Foreign Natls Under Deportation Proceedings with Municipalities Nationwide(Japan News)

Immigration Policy

2026-08-05

Japan's Foreign Worker Debate Still Lacks a Blueprint, Economist Warns(JAPAN Forward)

Immigration Policy

2026-07-31

Japan unveils new immigration plan focused on tighter regulations(Japan Times)

Immigration Policy

2026-07-28

Japan to Boost Immigration Agency Staff by 226(JIJI PRESS)

Immigration Policy

2026-07-25

Immigration Surge a Factor in Rise of MAGA-like Sentiments in Japan(Japan News)

Immigration Policy

2026-07-22

Japan to Add 200 Immigration Services Agency Employees(JIJI PRESS)

Immigration Policy

2026-07-20

Japan’s Immigration Agency to Boost Number of Officers to Crack Down on Foreigners Overstaying Permission to Stay(Japan News)

Immigration Policy

2026-07-09

Japan to Raise Residence Permit Fees for Foreign Nationals Sharply as Costs Mount (JAPAN Forward)

Immigration Policy

2026-07-06

Refugees face limited aid as Oct. 1 visa fee hikes approach(The Asahi Shimbun)

Immigration Policy

2026-07-06

Japan immigration agency fee hike plan raises concerns over burden on asylum applicants(The Mainichi)

Immigration Policy

2026-07-03

Japan govt. announces plan to raise residence permit fees for foreign nationals(NHK)

Immigration Policy

2026-06-29

Japan is raising visa fees by up to 400% for the first time in nearly 50 years. Here’s why(CNBC)

Immigration Policy

2026-06-27

Japan’s Immigration Agency Presents Proposal for New Residence Status Fees(Japan News)

Immigration Policy

2026-06-26

Japan needs more foreign workers, but many feel unwelcome(DW)

Immigration Policy

2026-06-24

Japan to Increase Visa Fees for Foreign Nationals Beginning July 1, 2026(Newland Chase)

Immigration Policy

2026-06-24

Hundreds Rally at Japan’s Diet Against Anti-Foreigner Politics(Unseen Japan)

Immigration Policy

2026-06-22

Japan to raise visa fees for foreign nationals in first revision in 48 years(Japan Times)

Immigration Policy

2026-06-21

Japan to hike visa fees for foreigners fivefold from July(NHK)

Immigration Policy

2026-06-17

Sanseito submits bill to create agency on policies related to foreign nationals(Japan Times)

Immigration Policy

2026-06-08

Anti-immigration sentiment rises in Japan despite growing demand for foreign workers(ABC NEWS)

Immigration Policy

2026-06-02

What are the details of big rises in Japan's immigration fee caps for foreign residents?(The Mainichi)

Immigration Policy

2026-05-29

Japan's Kawaguchi City to offer special foreign residents counseling service(NHK)

Immigration Policy

2026-05-29

Japan passes bill to raise visa fees, introduce online pre-entry screening(The Mainichi)

Immigration Policy

2026-05-24

Japan eyes cyber patrols for tips on overstays, illegal work(The Mainichi)

Immigration Policy

2026-05-22

Many foreign entrepreneurs desperate as Japan tightens 'business manager' visa rules(The Mainichi)

Immigration Policy

2026-05-15

Japan narrows path to citizenship amid labour shortages(EAST ASIA FORUM)

Immigration Policy

2026-05-14

Japan food sector: immigration, a labor crunch and rising costs(Japan Times)

Immigration Policy

2026-05-14

Japan Working Visa Permit: Requirements, Process (Y-Axis)

Immigration Policy

2026-05-01

Tokyo’s labour crunch fuels fastest immigration shift in decades(AZER NEWS)

Immigration Policy

2026-05-01

Find a Long-Term Fix for the Issue of Immigration(Japan News)

Immigration Policy

2026-04-28

Japan Likely to Pass Bill to Raise Immigration Fees(JIJI PRESS)

Immigration Policy

2026-04-28

Editorial: Japan's higher residency fees impose excessive burden on foreigners(The Mainichi)

Immigration Policy

2026-04-27

Two Sides of Japan’s Immigration Policy: Welcoming Migrant Workers and Excluding Asylum Seekers(Georgetown Journal of International Affairs Qatar)

Immigration Policy

2026-04-25

Intra-company transfers to Japan tightened for foreigners from April(Japan Today)

Immigration Policy

2026-04-17

Japan squeezed between economic and social demands(Japan Times)

Immigration Policy

2026-04-09

Japan’s tighter immigration controls yielding results(Japan Times)

Immigration Policy

2026-04-09

Japan: Tightened Documentation Requirement and Introduction of Language Requirement for Certain Work Visas(Fragomen)

Immigration Policy

2026-04-09

1 in 5 Japan late teens see immigration as key issue, triple 2 yrs ago(The Mainichi)

Immigration Policy

2026-03-27

Japan to toughen requirements for citizenship, skirt Diet approval(The Asahi Shimbun)

Immigration Policy