Japan raises residency fee for foreign nationals by twenty-fold

Japan has recently tightened the rules for foreign nationals seeking permanent residency, with fees skyrocketing 20-fold, as part of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's efforts to tighten immigration controls. The new requirements include demonstrating an annual income above average and being able to carry casual conversations in Japanese.

Application fees have surged from 10,000 yen to 200,000 yen, causing long queues at immigration offices. Some, like 22-year-old American-born university student Yujie Chono, expressed frustration, having waited for five hours to file his paperwork. Despite Japan's aging population and labor shortages, opposition to immigration is growing, prompting Takaichi to emphasize the need for "orderly coexistence" with foreign nationals.

While some experts and business leaders argue that Japan must welcome more foreign workers to sustain its economy, anti-immigration sentiment remains prevalent, fueled by social media and false claims circulating widely.