Japan proposes stricter criteria for foreign permanent residency applications
The Japanese government is set to raise the bar for permanent residency, requiring applicants to earn above the national household average and meet specific pension projections.
A new policy draft in Japan would tighten permanent-residency eligibility for long-term foreign residents. Prospective applicants must now demonstrate an income higher than the average Japanese household and show a certain level of future pension benefits. Officials say the move aims to align residency standards with economic contributions. The change could affect roughly 4 million foreigners currently living in the country.
Why it matters
Stricter residency rules could reshape the lives of millions of foreign residents and affect Japan's demographic and labor outlook.
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