No more welcome mat? Japan’s tough visa rules spur foreign businesses to look elsewhere
Five years ago, Sarah and her husband were optimistic about Japan’s economic future and were expanding their small businesses across several sectors. Today, that optimism has been replaced by concern over a sense of hostility towards two hard-working foreigners who feel they have contributed to the society that they have worked hard to fit into. New regulations that took effect on Thursday mean…
Japan's strict new visa rules have deterred foreign businesses from expanding their operations in the country. Once optimistic about Japan's economic future, two British business owners are now considering leaving the country due to significant increases in visa extension costs. The cost of a business manager's visa has jumped from 5 million yen to 30 million yen, while the permanent residency fee has risen 20 times to 200,000 yen.
Additional barriers include an annual income requirement of 5.75 million yen and higher pension contributions, as well as Japanese language requirements. These changes, coupled with rising prices and the weak yen, have prompted Sarah and her husband to bring forward their plans to leave Japan. Sarah expressed her disappointment, saying that the new regulations make it difficult for them to set up a godo kaisha, the Japanese equivalent of a limited liability company.
The government's stance on immigration is aimed at limiting the number of foreign residents and winning voter support, but critics argue that it disregards human rights and will worsen Japan's already low birth rate and ageing population. Analysts warn that the new visa rules will make it harder for Japan to attract skilled workers needed in various sectors, including public transport and service industries.
Written by urgent.news from South China Morning Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
