Justice Ministry to double immigration-related budget for FY 2027

The Justice Ministry plans to double its immigration-related budget for fiscal 2027, allocating 80.7 billion yen ($507 million) to support measures related to immigration and foreign residents. This represents a significant increase from the initial budget for the current fiscal year, which was only 40.3 billion yen. The budget request is part of a broader plan for 985.6 billion yen from the Justice Ministry, a 15 percent increase from the previous year's budget.

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi presented the proposal at a meeting of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, emphasizing the importance of an orderly and harmonious society. The government's goals include promoting coexistence between Japanese and foreign nationals while addressing illegal activities amid the growing foreign population in the country.

The Justice Ministry is requesting 26.3 billion yen for the development of a new system called the Japan Electronic System for Travel Authorization (JESTA), as well as 4.4 billion yen for digital transformation of immigration control, including the installation of facial recognition gates. Additionally, 15.5 billion yen will be allocated for measures aimed at realizing an orderly, harmonious society, such as the creation of a Japanese language and life skills learning program to help foreign residents better understand the language and domestic systems.

The budget will also dedicate 1.2 billion yen to tackle illegal foreign residents, focusing on swift removal efforts for those subject to final deportation orders. The Finance Ministry receives budgetary requests from various ministries and agencies by the end of August and reviews them by the end of the year.