Japan's tougher permanent residency rules prize 'nat'l interest' over human rights: expert
TOKYO -- Japan revised its guidelines on permanent residence permits for foreigners on Oct. 1, raising standards such as the annual income required fo
Japan has strengthened its rules for granting permanent residency to foreigners, prioritizing national interests over human rights, according to an immigration policy expert. The revised guidelines, effective from October 1, 2023, have raised the income threshold for applications to match the average Japanese household's income.
Eriko Suzuki, a professor at Kokushikan University in Tokyo, argued that this move would narrow the path to permanent residency, making life planning more challenging for foreign residents. From April 2027, applicants must have been in Japan for at least five years before applying for permanent residence, effectively raising the hurdle.
The guidelines also emphasize that permanent residents should serve national interests and explicitly state that even spouses of Japanese nationals and other exempt individuals may be negatively evaluated if deemed a public burden. While Japan needs foreign workers to address labor shortages, the government's focus has shifted to controlling foreigners rather than improving their living conditions.
The revision of permanent residency rules emphasizes national interests and sets back human rights, potentially diminishing Japan's appeal and negatively impacting the environment for foreigners who wish to live there long-term.
Written by urgent.news from The Mainichi's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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