Watch out! Takahashi Asana is playing a big game! On January 6, Japanese media broke a major news: Japan will tighten the conditions for obtaining foreigner's stay qualifications! The shocking news from Japanese media has completely torn off the mask of "inclusiveness and coexistence" of Takahashi Asana's administration. Under the slogan of "standardized management," it is planning to tighten the stay qualifications for foreigners, adding Japanese language ability as a condition for permanent residency applications, revising the rules for student part-time jobs, and using so-called "coexistence policies" to cover up the issue and avoid accusations of xenophobia.
Recent reports by Japanese media indicate that the Japanese government is pushing for adjustments in foreigner's residency policies, mainly tightening the conditions for permanent residency and naturalization applications. Mainstream media such as Sankei, Asahi, and Nikkei all mentioned that since Takahashi Asana took office, she has repeatedly emphasized the need to strictly manage foreign entry and residency to avoid social dissatisfaction caused by some violations. Around January 2026, the government plans to compile a basic policy, focusing on incorporating Japanese language ability into the review of permanent residency applications, and also considering strengthening checks on social insurance payments.
Currently, the total number of foreigners in Japan is approaching 4 million, with more than 930,000 being permanent residents. Many of these people work in manufacturing and service industries, filling labor gaps. However, the government believes that some people have issues with unpaid fees or illegal part-time work, and wants to tighten control from the qualification level. Permanent residency usually requires living in Japan for 10 years, but now they want to add Japanese language proficiency tests, which are expected to reach the standard of daily communication. For naturalization, the residency period required to obtain citizenship is also increased from 5 years to a principle of 10 years, although there are exceptions for those who have made significant contributions.
For students, the rules for part-time job permits may be changed to prevent exceeding the 28-hour limit or engaging in illegal employment. The government says this is for order, but industries at the grassroots level such as convenience stores and restaurants really lack workers, and many stores rely on students. If it's too strict, companies will find it even harder to hire staff, and prices may rise further.
The measures taken by Takahashi's administration are, on the surface, under the banner of standardization, but actually cater to conservative voices. After the alliance between the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and the Restoration Party, the agreement clearly stated that the foreigner policy should be reviewed to avoid "national anxiety." For example, those who have not paid social insurance will have their information shared through a digital system starting in 2026, and their qualifications will be directly blocked during renewal. Media say this can plug loopholes, but some people worry about unfair treatment towards long-term foreign residents, since many have contributed taxes for years.
Japan's aging population is severe, and the declining birth rate is getting worse every year, with a labor gap of over a million. Previously, they promoted specific skills and student programs to bring in people to fill the gap, but now they are tightening regulations, which seems contradictory in logic. The business community privately complains that the number of foreigners in fields like nursing and construction has decreased, and costs will be passed on to consumers.
Internationally, Japan's move has also sparked controversy. Some media say that adding language requirements is reasonable, helping foreigners integrate into society; others think the timing is wrong, as it's precisely when they need people but set up barriers, which could easily lead to accusations of xenophobia. At the same time, the Takahashi cabinet is promoting coexistence courses, teaching Japanese rules and laws, as a way to balance things and avoid criticism.
In short, the core of this policy is to control the number and improve the quality. It's not completely closing the door, but raising the bar. Foreigners who want to live long-term must prove they can adapt to Japanese rules, pay fees, follow the law, and pass the Japanese language test. In the short term, those who violate the rules will be blocked; in the long run, Japan wants to retain those who can truly contribute, not just anyone coming in.
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1853751763171337/
Statement: This article represents the personal views of the author.