From 1 October the fee for a renewal or status change is not only larger but paid differently, and the online route carries a settlement surcharge the hardship reduction cannot reach.
The Immigration Services Agency's end-June 2026 figures put Specified Skilled Worker residents at a record, with food service at 98.1 per cent of a ceiling that has been closed to new entrants since 13 April 2026.
The education ministry and the Immigration Services Agency have asked language schools to point students at tests other than the JLPT, after the December sitting in Japan closed early for lack of seats.
Narita's two largest terminals began joint immigration-customs kiosk operations on 24 September. The customs half applies to residence card holders in full; the immigration half does not work the same way.
The Immigration Services Agency warned on 24 September about fraudulent emails demanding residence application fees, days before online applicants start paying by convenience store or bank transfer.
Applications accepted on or before 30 September keep the current fees. From 1 October a renewal costs between ¥10,000 and ¥75,000, and permanent residence goes to ¥200,000.
The government presented a plan on 9 September to open the aviation field to Ikusei Shuro. The programme's overall ceiling does not move, so the new field draws on the existing allocation.