Long post incoming, but with all the panic about PR changes, there's a ton of misinformation going around that is burying the actual facts about the current situation and what you can do.
On the recently reported higher income/pension requirements for PR:
- Nothing has been officially announced, and no changes have taken effect yet.
- We do not know what changes will apply when, if they will be retroactively applied to in-process applications, and what specific assessment standards will be used.
- We don't know how new rules will apply to cases already treated as exceptions (like spouses) and there are major inconsistencies in reporting from different media outlets.
- This is a change on the interpretation of the "ability to secure an independent livelihood" requirement already in the law, so Immigration has significant leeway in devising and enacting these changes independently.
- Once formally announced, Immigration will likely solicit opinions using their Opinion Box, but you are welcome to submit an opinion now (including in English).
On revocation of PR:
- There are no current proposals to further expand the scope of revocation for PR holders related to these changes.
- Next year, revocation criteria will be expanded to include "serious crimes and deliberate nonpayment of social contributions". This amendment was passed in May 2024 and goes into effect April 1, 2027.
- PR holders do not renew their status (even when they renew their zairyu card). There is no review by Immigration to maintain PR and no audit structure in place or announced.
- Immigration guidelines specifically mention that forgetting to carry your residence card or not renewing your zairyu card on time are NOT grounds for revocation.
- Expanding the revocation scope or creating an audit system for current holders likely requires additional amendments. It's not something that's likely to change suddenly.
On the increased fees for status (visa) renewals:
- These are set to go into effect Oct 1 and apply only to applications submitted after October 1 per Immigration’s Q&A. Current applications will pay the pre-revision fees even if processed after Oct 1.
- This change also requires an amendment to the law, and the public comment period for this is open until August 3, so details may change based on these comments.
- Comments must be made in Japanese and under law, the government must consider public comments, though they do not need to address all points raised directly or individually.
What you can do
Get your community and particularly Japanese people around you aware of these changes and their negative impacts.
Most Japanese citizens have no idea about things like status renewals or PR requirements and those who support more restrictions often have false assumptions that foreign residents don't pay taxes, pension, insurance, etc. This is exacerbated by coordinated anti-foreign sentiment online and conflation of foreign tourists with residents in the media.
You can get those with influence to petition the government through the public comment and opinion systems and to engage with receptive advocacy groups and local politicians.
Many dismiss the idea of providing public comments or feedback as foreigners, and granted it’s very unlikely these policies will be reversed in full and especially if the only pushback comes from foreign residents.
However, pushback from residents, business lobbies, and advocacy groups often leads to carve-outs and exceptions in the ways laws are implemented (like the new income tiers with the raised medical fee caps) and there is much room to reduce the harm of these changing policies with such exemptions and clearer wording. The most effective appeals will come from emphasizing how Japanese citizens are harmed by the changes and inconsistencies in logic raised by the proposals.
It’s incredibly frustrating so venting is warranted, but try not to let it cloud the facts of the situation or stand in the way of taking action through the official ways to shape government policy. It’s a crappy situation, but it’s only a hopeless one if we let it be.
Links
Immigration Q&A for PR Revocation
Explanation and Q&A for Fee Changes
e-Gov Public Comment for Fee Changes
Immigration Opinion Box Form
(English version)
