【The Immigration Control and Refugee Act, aimed at significantly increasing residence application fees for foreigners in Japan, has passed the House of Councillors, with the fee for permanent residency authorization rising up to 30 times.】 On May 29, multiple Japanese media outlets including Mainichi Shimbun and Jiji Press reported—during a plenary session of the House of Councillors at noon, the revised version of the Immigration Control and Refugee Act was approved by a majority vote from parties including the Liberal Democratic Party, Komeito, Nippon Ishin no Kai, and the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan. Opposition came from parties such as the Constitutional Democratic Party, who argued this could severely impact applicants for refugee status and others. A key feature of this bill is the substantial increase in the upper limit of residence-related application fees for foreigners living in Japan: the fee cap for changes in residence status may rise up to 10 times, while that for permanent residency authorization could increase up to 30 times. This move is part of Prime Minister Kishida’s broader policy push toward stricter foreigner management. According to officials from the Ministry of Justice, revenue generated from these increased fees will be used as general funds to support policies aimed at achieving an “orderly coexistence society.” The law is scheduled to be implemented within fiscal year 2026.
What are the specific changes in fee levels before and after the revision? Since 1981, the upper limit for fees related to residence status changes, period renewals, and permanent residency permits has remained capped at ¥10,000. Actual fees are determined by cabinet ordinance; currently, changing or renewing residence status at service counters costs ¥6,000, while applying for permanent residency costs ¥10,000. Under the newly passed amendment, fees for residence status changes and renewals will be adjusted based on the length of stay, ranging from approximately ¥10,000 to ¥70,000, with a maximum cap of ¥100,000. For permanent residency permits, the fee will rise to around ¥200,000, with a maximum cap of ¥300,000.
In addition, the bill introduces a new electronic exit certification system (JESTA) to review foreigners’ entry eligibility prior to departure. This initiative aims to implement Prime Minister Kishida’s repeated emphasis on “preventing undesirable foreigners from entering Japan.” By verifying information about short-term visa-exempt visitors beforehand, those found to pose risks will be denied entry. This measure is expected to begin implementation by fiscal year 2028.
Meanwhile, according to data released by Japan’s Immigration Services Agency on March 27 this year, the number of foreign residents in Japan has exceeded 4 million for the first time, reaching 4.13 million—a record high. This represents an increase of 60,000 compared to 2024, and a rise of nearly 1.89 million over the past decade—almost doubling. Foreigners now make up 3.36% of Japan’s total population. At the same time, the number of illegal overstayers—those without valid residence status or who have overstayed—is estimated at around 68,000, a decrease of 8.5% compared to last year. The Immigration Services Agency attributes this decline to the effectiveness of the “Zero Illegal Stay” policy announced in May 2025, particularly due to a 30% increase in the number of deportation officers dispatched using national funds, totaling 318 individuals last year. Furthermore, the Ministry of Justice has actively revoked residence statuses obtained through fraudulent applications, resulting in the highest number of visa cancellations ever recorded in a single year.
While this bill aligns with the demands of political groups such as the Reiwa Shinsengumi that hold anti-foreigner sentiments, three critical issues require serious attention from the Japanese government: First, with tax increases, yen depreciation, and rising residence fees, the value and appeal of working in Japan for foreigners will diminish further. Second, despite the government's strong advocacy for “industrial revitalization,” can manufacturing sites across Japan continue operating sustainably in an aging, low-fertility society without the support of foreign labor? Third, most Japanese citizens are unwilling to take on long-hour, dirty, arduous, low-wage jobs. To secure labor, companies must raise wages, and these added costs will ultimately be passed on to the majority of Japanese consumers in the form of higher prices. Some might argue that the ¥300,000 maximum fee for permanent residency (green card) is far lower than the $1 million minimum required for the “Trump Golden Green Card,” but do they truly have the same level of value?
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1866506217474056/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author.