Japan raises permanent residency fee by 2,000%

Japan has sharply increased its permanent residency application fee as Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s government moves to address growing public concerns over immigration.

Peoples Gazette reported that the fee rose from $64 to $1,271, alongside additional requirements including Japanese-language proficiency, a minimum annual income of $36,428 and pension contributions.

“There are citizens who feel anxiety and a sense of unfairness,” Takaichi wrote on social media. “To address these concerns, [the government] is working to ensure that its policies toward foreign nationals are orderly, and that both Japanese citizens and foreign residents can live safely and securely.”

The increase follows an earlier adjustment to Japan’s visa fees in March, introduced “to reflect inflation and exchange rate fluctuations.”

A five-year residence permit also increased from $38 to $475. Non-permanent residents, who previously paid 6,000 yen to renew their stay, will now pay according to the requested duration.

Fees can reach 10,000 yen for three months and 75,000 yen for a five-year stay.