The Japanese government has decided to tighten the requirements for permanent residency and Japanese citizenship applications, while also helping applicants for permanent residency improve their Japanese language proficiency. This policy guideline was finalized during a ministerial meeting held at the Prime Minister’s Official Residence on Friday, January 23.
Among nearly 4 million foreigners living in Japan, around 20% hold permanent residency status.
The government will proceed with revisions to administrative procedures related to naturalization (acquiring Japanese citizenship) and plans to extend the residency requirement from “over five years” to “over ten years.”
The proposal also focuses on issues related to tax arrears and social insurance payments. The Immigration Bureau will establish a system to identify individuals with outstanding tax and social security payments, with measures including potential refusal to renew residency permits.
Additionally, the proposal includes initiatives to promote “social integration,” such as providing programs for foreign residents to learn about Japanese language and local customs to help prevent social isolation. There are also plans to offer children the opportunity to learn basic Japanese before entering elementary school.
In the fiscal year 2026 (starting in April), the government will introduce a system requiring individuals to disclose their nationality when purchasing real estate. However, concrete measures regulating land purchases will not be implemented immediately. Instead, a new expert panel will be established in February to continue discussions and develop basic policy guidelines before the summer.
The government is also addressing the rapid increase in the number of short-term visitors to Japan. In order to manage excessive tourism, the Japanese government stated that it is “necessary to correct the concentration of visitors in specific areas and promote their dispersion.”
In 2025, the number of foreign visitors to Japan exceeded 40 million for the first time.