"Even as More Say 'I'd Rather Go to Korea Than Japan'... Japan Tightens Restrictions [Mwonilissyu]"

Mynavi Survey Shows Fewer Foreign Residents Want to Work in Japan for Over Five Years
Departure Tax and Fees for Status of Residence and Permanent Residency Also Increased

Editor's NoteThis is a weekly update from our international correspondent based in Tokyo, sharing stories and observations from Japan. Updated every Saturday.

This week in Japan, a series of changes concerning foreign residents have been widely reported. After significantly increasing visa fees, the Japanese government has also announced plans to substantially raise the fees for changing or renewing residence status, as well as for permanent residency permits. In addition, discussions on regulating real estate acquisitions by foreigners are gaining momentum.

At the same time, a very intriguing survey result was released. Japan, which has long struggled with chronic labor shortages, already relies on foreign workers across various industries such as manufacturing and services. However, according to a survey published this week, Japan is no longer considered an attractive country for foreign workers.

On July 7, Mynavi, a Japanese job information company, released the results of its "Survey on the Intentions of Foreign Residents in Japan to Work in Japan." The survey, conducted in January and February among foreigners residing in Japan, found that the percentage of respondents who said they want to work in Japan for more than five years fell to 61.6%, a decrease of 14.7 percentage points compared to the previous year. When asked how long they would like to work in Japan in the future, 34.2% answered "2 to 5 years," an increase of 12.7 percentage points over the same period. Meanwhile, those who said they wished to return to their home country within a year accounted for 4.2%, a slight increase.

In short, fewer people want to work long-term and settle in Japan. Mynavi analyzed that "the weakening yen and rising wages in their home countries are leading more people to choose to return home."

Hiroshi Hiraguchi, Japan's Minister of Justice, is speaking at a press conference on the 3rd. ANN.

When asked about their willingness to work in countries other than Japan, 56.2% responded that they would like to work elsewhere. South Korea was the most popular destination, with 16.5% selecting it. The top reason was "I like the culture," cited by 31.4%, followed by "higher pay than in Japan" at 28.4%.

In this context, the Japanese government is in fact raising various barriers for foreigners. As of July 1, visa application fees for foreign visitors to Japan have increased fivefold. This does not apply to countries with mutual visa waiver agreements, such as South Korea, Taiwan, and the United States, but citizens of other countries, including China, are required to pay the new fees. The single-entry visa fee was raised from 3,000 yen (27,800 won) to 15,000 yen (138,800 won), and the multiple-entry visa fee increased from 6,000 yen (55,520 won) to 30,000 yen (277,600 won).

On the same day, the so-called "international tourist tax," a departure tax, was also raised from 1,000 yen (9,250 won) to 3,000 yen per person. This tax is imposed on anyone—foreigner or Japanese—leaving Japanese territory, and is added to the price of airline or ship tickets for those departing Japan. The Japanese government says the increased revenue will be used as a measure against overtourism.

Fees related to screening for residence and permanent residency status, which are necessary to live in Japan, are also set to rise. Last month, the Immigration Services Agency presented the proposed fee revisions at a joint meeting that included the Liberal Democratic Party's Ministry of Justice meeting.

Shin-Okubo Street in Tokyo, Japan, densely populated with Korean restaurants and shops. Photo by Yonhap News.

To stay in Japan for study or work, one must obtain a residence status. Under the new proposal, the fees for changing or renewing residence status, previously 6,000 yen, will increase by up to 12.5 times depending on the period of stay: 10,000 yen (92,530 won) for three months or less; 33,000 yen (305,350 won) for one year; 64,000 yen (592,200 won) for three years or more but less than five years; and 75,000 yen (693,990 won) for five years or more. The permanent residency permit fee will be raised from 10,000 yen to 200,000 yen (1,850,640 won), a twentyfold increase. Requirements for the business management visa, which allows one to open a shop in Japan, have also been tightened, with higher capital requirements. Furthermore, a legal amendment has been enacted whereby permanent residency may be revoked if taxes or insurance premiums are in arrears.

Furthermore, discussions on regulating real estate acquisitions by foreigners are expected to begin in earnest. The Japanese government and the Liberal Democratic Party are working to build a database to understand the actual situation regarding foreign acquisitions and are also reviewing the possibility of regulation. This issue became a political hot topic following last year's House of Councillors election. According to the Nihon Keizai Shimbun (Nikkei), the party that most actively raised this issue was Sanseito, which campaigned on a "Japanese First" platform. Their success in the election prompted the Liberal Democratic Party to take action as well.

There has been considerable backlash against such policies. Human rights organizations have issued joint statements and held press conferences opposing xenophobia. Although Japan's need for labor is greater than ever, the barriers are being raised even higher. Attention is now focused on whether the Japanese government can find a balance in its approach.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.