Japan has implemented a 20-fold increase in the fee for foreigners seeking permanent residency, raising the cost to 200,000 yen ($1,270; £955). Alongside the fee hike, new eligibility requirements have been introduced, including minimum income thresholds, pension contributions, and Japanese-language proficiency standards.
Long lines formed outside immigration offices in the days leading up to the change, with applicants rushing to beat the deadline. Tokyo's main immigration bureau reported wait times of over seven hours.
The move is part of a broader tightening of immigration policy under Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, who has made managing Japan's growing foreign population a key priority since taking office in October last year. In July, the government implemented a five-fold increase in visa fees for all foreigners — the first such hike in 50 years — which authorities said was intended to "reflect inflation and exchange rate fluctuations."
Japan's foreign resident population surpassed 4.12 million at the end of 2025, a record 9.5% increase from the previous year. The rapid growth has fueled public anxiety over immigration and social change.
In a post on X days before the residency fee increase took effect, Prime Minister Takaichi acknowledged that "some members of the public may feel a sense of concern or unfairness" as the foreign population grows, and said her government is working to address those concerns.
Despite the tighter restrictions, Japan's ageing population continues to rely heavily on foreign workers to fill labour shortages, creating a tension between restrictive immigration policies and economic necessity.