Japan raises residency fee for foreign nationals by twenty-fold
Japan has significantly increased residency fees for foreign nationals and introduced stricter income and language requirements. These policy changes are part of an effort to manage a record-high foreign population while addressing domestic labor shortages and public anxiety.
Why it matters
The policy reflects a global trend of nations balancing the economic necessity of foreign labor with domestic political pressure regarding immigration and social integration.
Image source, Getty Images Image caption, The hikes are part of immigration policy changes introduced to manage Japan's growing foreign population
Japan has raised fees for foreigners looking to reside in the country, with the cost of permanent residency going up 20 times to 200,000 yen ($1,270; £955).
Those seeking permanent residency must now also meet new income, pension and Japanese-language requirements.
Long lines formed outside immigration offices earlier this week as applicants sought to beat the fee hikes, with Tokyo's main immigration bureau reporting wait times of over seven hours.
The fee increases are part of a series of changes to Japan's immigration policy under Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, which aim ito manage its rapidly growing foreign population.
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