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Source: Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's official Facebook post, dated September 27, 2026. The government is facing up to the anxiety and sense of unfairness that some members of the public feel as the number of foreign residents in Japan increases. To bring "order" to our foreign national policy and enable both Japanese citizens and foreign nationals to live safely and with peace of mind, we compiled the Comprehensive Response Package for the Acceptance of Foreign Nationals a

Based on reporting from Tokyo Shoko Research, "外国人労働者　企業の78.2％が雇用ゼロ　中小企業は製造業、建設業などで不可欠に" ("Foreign Workers: 78.2% of Companies Have Zero Employment; SMEs Call Them Indispensable in Manufacturing, Construction"), published August 19, 2025 (source) A new survey from Tokyo Shoko (Tokyo Chamber of Commerce) Research puts a number on something that's easy to lose sight of in the debate over Japan's tightening immigration rules: most Japanese companies don't employ any foreign work

Based on reporting from the Global Research Center (GRC), Waseda University, "Analysis of Changes in Japanese Society's Attitudes Toward Foreigners and Political Consciousness," published May 25, 2026 (source) Note: this post overlaps a little with an earlier piece on the Stanford Japan Barometer survey — both are tracking the same underlying shift in Japanese public opinion. This one digs into a different question: not just that attitudes have hardened, but what seems to be

Based on reporting by Nikkei (Nihon Keizai Shimbun), published September 2, 2026 Foreign nationals who had been running companies and restaurants in Japan under the country's "Business Manager" residency status are departing at a sharply accelerated rate — a trend that appears directly tied to a tightening of visa requirements late last year. Nikkei's analysis of Immigration Services Agency statistics found that 953 people holding Business Manager status left Japan in the fir

Based on reporting by Noriko Akiyama, Asahi Shimbun GLOBE+, published April 3, 2026, part of the series "When 'Immigration' Becomes a Political Flashpoint" (source) Japanese public opinion on accepting foreign workers has grown markedly more cautious over the past few years, according to a new Stanford University survey — and researchers say the shift traces back to a specific political trigger, not a slow cultural drift. The findings come from Japan Barometer, an ongoing onl

Based on reporting by Mainichi Shimbun, August 25, 2026 Japan's government has formally approved a steep increase in the fees foreign residents pay for immigration procedures, moving ahead with the plan largely as originally proposed despite public pushback during the comment period. On August 25, the Cabinet approved a revision to the government ordinance needed to put the fee hike into effect. During the public comment process, some respondents argued the increase "runs cou

Narita Airport Japan's government is preparing to raise the income threshold used to qualify foreign workers as "highly skilled professionals," a status that comes with faster paths to long-term residence and permanent residency. The move, reported by Nikkei on August 14, 2026, is part of a wider push to tighten the country's immigration rules while still trying to attract top global talent. What's Changing The Ministry of Justice is expected to revise the relevant ministeria

Our thoughts go out to everyone affected by the recent Kumamoto earthquake. We hope for the safety and well-being of all those impacted, and for a swift and steady recovery for the region. In light of the disaster, Japan's Immigration Services Agency (ISA) has announced special measures for foreign residents whose residence-related applications have been, or may be, affected by the earthquake. Below is a summary of the announcement, originally published by the ISA in July, Re

Last updated: June 26, 2026 — This page has been revised to reflect the latest official Q&A, including reordered topics and updated answers. If you hold — or are planning to apply for — Japan's Business Manager visa (経営・管理), you may have seen alarming headlines claiming you need ¥30 million to stay in Japan or that renewals will be denied unless you hit a specific capital threshold. We want to set the record straight with clear, accurate information straight from Japan's immi

Japan's Immigration Services Agency (ISA) has released its annual report on entry refusals for 2025 (Reiwa 7), and the figures are worth examining closely — both for travelers planning to visit Japan and for immigration professionals advising foreign clients. The Headline: An 8.5% Year-on-Year Increase A total of 8,546 foreign nationals were refused entry into Japan in 2025, representing an increase of 667 persons (8.5%) compared to 2024. This continues a rising trend that ha

⚠️Important notice: On June 14, 2026, a partial amendment to the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act will take effect. Children aged 1 to 15 will now be required to have their photograph displayed on their Residence Card (Zairyu Card) and Special Permanent Resident Certificate. Families with pending applications should prepare accordingly. Background: What is changing? Under current rules, children under the age of 16 are exempt from the photo requirement for Resi

Introduction Japan’s tourism and international exchange have reached an unprecedented peak. According to the latest 2025 (Reiwa 7) statistics released by the Immigration Services Agency of Japan, the country has officially shattered previous records, signaling a robust new era for inbound travel. A Historic Breakthrough: The 40 Million Mark For the first time in history, the number of foreign nationals entering Japan has surpassed the 40 million mark. In 2025, total foreign

The Immigration Services Agency of Japan recently released its report on residency status revocations for 2025 (Reiwa 7), and the data shows a significant upward trend. If you are a foreign national living or working in Japan, understanding these figures and the reasons behind them is more important than ever. Here is a breakdown of the key findings and what they mean for the international community. The Numbers: A 22.1% Increase In 2025, Japan revoked a total of 1,446 reside

Introduction Having spent my career in the field of marketing, I have always been keenly interested in market trends and shifting demographics. Observing how society evolves is not just a professional habit but a personal passion. Recently, a major piece of news caught my attention: Japan has reached a historic milestone. According to the latest data from the Immigration Services Agency as of the end of 2025, the number of foreign residents in Japan has surpassed 4 million f

In an increasingly globalized Japan, the role of "Foreign Resident Support Coordinators" (外国人支援コーディネーター) has never been more vital. These professionals act as a crucial bridge between foreign residents and the complex systems of Japanese society. The Immigration Services Agency (ISA) of Japan has officially opened applications for the FY2026 Training Program for Foreign Resident Support Coordinators. If you are working in support services and looking to elevate your professio

If you are currently renewing your visa or changing your status via the Immigration Online System , please take note of a significant delay regarding the delivery of new Residence Cards. The Situation As of April 17, 2026 , if you select "By Mail" (郵送) as your delivery method, it is taking approximately two weeks for the Residence Card to reach you. This 14-day countdown starts from the moment you mail your required documents to the Immigration Bureau (Odaiba Branch) afte