Japan adjusts residency fees and passport costs amid labor shifts

Japan is implementing significant changes to its administrative fees and residency requirements. Next month, residence permit fees will increase, with permanent residency applications rising from ¥10,000 to ¥200,000. The government is also tightening criteria for permanent residency, proposing requirements such as above-average household income, Japanese-language proficiency, and sufficient projected pension benefits.

These policy shifts occur as Japan becomes increasingly reliant on foreign labor to combat a shrinking and aging population. Foreign workers reached a record high of 2.57 million at the end of October, accounting for more than half of the labor force increase between 2023 and 2024, according to the Bank of Japan. Key sectors employing foreign workers include manufacturing, services, wholesale and retail, and construction.

In a separate move to encourage international engagement, the Japanese government recently reduced passport application fees. The cost for a ten-year passport for adults over 18 dropped from ¥15,900 to ¥8,900. This reduction has led to a surge in applications across various prefectures. Despite this, Japan’s passport ownership rate remains below 20%, which is significantly lower than rates in countries like Taiwan, the United States, and Germany.