Japan’s government plans to make permanent residency harder for foreign nationals to obtain, according to a source familiar with the matter. Under the proposed changes, applicants would need to meet higher financial-related thresholds, including income levels above the average for Japanese households and a specified level of projected pension benefits. The source also reports that Japan will revise its relevant guidelines on Oct. 1, with the new requirements introduced in principle for applications submitted starting next April.
The current framework described in coverage includes three main criteria: good conduct, proof of assets or skills sufficient to support an independent livelihood, and a determination that granting permanent residency is in the “best interests” of Japan. The reported updates do not replace those broader criteria in the accounts provided, but they are intended to raise the bar specifically on the income and retirement-related measures that applicants must satisfy.
The planned adjustments aim to tighten eligibility by adding more stringent benchmarks tied to earnings and expected pension outcomes.
