Japan Moves to Delete Designated Activities Item 15, with Comments Due 29 October
The Immigration Services Agency is consulting on deleting a designated-activities category that has had no users since 2018, with comments closing on 29 October 2026.
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View allNew Arrivals Dipped in Japan's First Half, While Resident Re-Entries Pushed the Total Up
The Immigration Services Agency's entry and departure figures for the first half of 2026, published on 16 October 2026, show foreign arrivals up 0.3 per cent to 21,447,220 while first-time entries fell to 19,706,953, leaving roughly 1.74 million entries by residents returning from abroad.
Changing Employer Under Employment for Skill Development Carries Seven Conditions
The Immigration Services Agency's updated Employment for Skill Development Q&A sets out the conditions for a worker-initiated change of employer from 1 April 2027, including a restriction period of one to two years set by sector and a compensation payment whose amount has not yet been issued.
Foreign Residents Reach a Record 4.28 Million as Business Manager Numbers Fall 8.6%
Japan's half-year immigration statistics, released on 16 October 2026, show a record 4,281,026 foreign residents at the end of June, a 4,034-holder drop in the Business Manager status, and overstayers down 4.8 per cent.
Japanese and Daily-Life Learning Programme Due for Trial in April 2028, with Checks Proposed at Renewal and Permanent Residence
A Cabinet Secretariat working group is designing a two-course Japanese and daily-life learning programme for mid-to-long-term residents, with the trial set to begin from April 2028 and completion checks proposed at renewal, permanent residence and naturalisation.
Specified Skilled Worker Support Caps Start 1 April 2027, with an Earlier Deadline for Support Organisations
From 1 April 2027 one support staffer may cover fewer than 50 Specified Skilled Worker (i) workers and, at a registered support organisation, fewer than 10 client employers, while organisations whose registration expires by 31 July 2027 must file renewals before that date to be judged under the current rules.