Japan Raises Permanent Residency Fee Twentyfold to Curb Immigration
The Japanese government has approved a substantial hike in permanent residency fees, raising them from 56 euros to around 1,105 euros, a move aimed at curbing the influx of foreign nationals. Applicants will now be required to demonstrate proficiency in the Japanese language, an understanding of the nation's history and customs, and a salary that meets the national average. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi remarked that this adjustment responds to citizens' feelings of "anxiety and injustice" regarding the growing foreign population. Currently, foreign workers constitute a record 3.4% of Japan's populace, reflecting a 17% rise since 2020. Additionally, tourist visa fees have been increased, particularly for visitors from Vietnam, China, and India, from 16 to approximately 81 euros. These actions have drawn criticism from left-leaning politicians, including Taku Yamazoe.
Key facts
- Japan's government approved the permanent residency fee increase on Thursday.
- The fee rose from the yen equivalent of 56 euros to about 1,105 euros, roughly twenty times more.
- Applicants must prove Japanese language ability, knowledge of Japanese history and customs, and a salary at least equal to the national average.
- Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi belongs to the right wing of the Liberal Democratic Party (PLD).
- Foreign residents make up 3.4 percent of Japan's population and have increased about 17 percent since 2020.
- Japan's population is estimated to have fallen by three million between 2020 and 2025.
- In June, tourist visa fees for countries including Vietnam, China and India quintupled from 16 to about 81 euros.
- Japanese Communist Party lawmaker Taku Yamazoe criticised the measures in a post on X.
Entities
Artists
- Sanae Takaichi
- Taku Yamazoe
Institutions
- Liberal Democratic Party
- PLD
- Japanese Communist Party
- New York Times
- X
Locations
- Japan
- Vietnam
- China
- India