Overview
- The Immigration Services Agency published draft revised guidelines on Tuesday, August 4, 2026, opened a public comment period and said it will pursue phased implementation after reviewing responses.
- The draft raises the economic bar by saying applicants must consistently earn more than the average Japanese household and by treating projected pension benefits equal to 30 years of employee pension contributions as a key test of future security.
- The proposal tightens the national-interest test by listing tax and public insurance payment records, serious criminal convictions, Japanese language ability, understanding of rules, and whether children attend school as factors that can weigh against approval.
- Special spouse exceptions would become harder to use under the draft, raising the marriage requirement from three years to five years and the required residence from one year to three years.
- The agency cited record foreign-resident figures — roughly 4.12 million foreign residents at the end of 2025 with about 940,000 permanent residents — and also published draft revocation rules that specify deliberate nonpayment of taxes or public insurance and serious crimes as grounds for canceling residency.