GoKawiilJapan tightens permanent residency rules for foreigners from October
Japan's Immigration Services Agency will phase in new permanent residency requirements starting October 1, including income above the national average (applied retroactively to applications since April), Japanese-language proficiency, and a pension fund equivalent to 30 years of payouts. The agency says the changes ensure foreigners can 'live independently' without becoming a burden. Long-term residents, including a Bangladeshi tech engineer and an American who has lived in Japan for 14 years, say they fear they may not qualify.