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.
Japanese Language Requirement
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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.