Business Manager Holders Have Until 16 October 2028 to Meet the ¥30 Million Rule
Japan's revised Business Manager criteria carry a transitional window that closes on 16 October 2028, and permanent residence applications are excluded from it.
Japanese Language Requirement
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Survey Finds No Japanese-Language Teacher Lined Up at 36% of Employment for Skill Development Intermediaries
A state-run survey reported on 23 October 2026 found that about 36% of the organisations expected to deliver Japanese-language training under Employment for Skill Development have no teacher lined up, ahead of the status's April 2027 start.
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.
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.
B1 Japanese from 1 April 2027 for New Specified Skilled Worker Applications, No Date Yet for Residents
The Immigration Services Agency has set 1 April 2027 as the start of the "B1 or above" Japanese standard for Specified Skilled Worker certificate of eligibility applications, and says the timing for change-of-status and renewal applications is still under consideration.
Employment for Skill Development Starts 1 April 2027, and Technical Interns Cannot Switch Into It
The Employment for Skill Development programme begins on 1 April 2027, the employer and supervising-organisation filing windows are already open, and the Immigration Services Agency confirms that Technical Intern Training holders cannot transfer into it.
Permanent Residence Guidelines Finalised, with Income Rules Applied to Pending Applications
The Immigration Services Agency issued the revised permanent residence guidelines and new revocation guidelines on 1 October 2026; most of the text applies from 1 April 2027, but the income and public-burden provisions reach applications already filed.
Ministry Asks Language Schools to Look Past the JLPT as Applications Overflow
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.
Japan's New Basic Plan for Immigration Control Sets Six Pillars
The Justice Ministry published a new Basic Plan for Immigration Control in July — the document that frames immigration policy for the years ahead, including JESTA by 2028.
Permanent Residence: Income and Pension Thresholds Proposed
Reports in late July set out the government's intended permanent residence criteria — household income above the national average, pension equivalent to 30 years of enrolment, and a language test.
Justice Ministry Team Reports on Japanese-Language and Civics Programmes for Foreign Residents
A Justice Ministry project team set out in July how a structured programme teaching Japanese and the country's rules would work — the mechanism behind January's panel recommendation.
Japan's Largest Work Visa Now Carries a Japanese-Language Requirement
From 15 April 2026 applicants for Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services status must show Japanese-language proficiency. The status covers more than 475,000 people.
Employment for Skill Development: Operational Guidelines Published Ahead of the 2027 Start
The Immigration Services Agency released the operating manual for Ikusei Shuro, the programme replacing technical intern training from April 2027, along with revised standards for two Specified Skilled Worker sectors.
Government Sets Out a Tighter Policy Line on Foreign Residents
A late-January policy package points at zero illegal overstays, land purchase rules, expanded language education and a possible cap on the foreign share of the population.
Government Panel Calls for a Required Japanese-Language Programme for Foreign Residents
A government expert panel's final report in January 2026 recommended structured language and civics learning for foreign residents, and floated tying it to long-term status.