No more welcome mat? Japan’s tough visa rules spur foreigners to look elsewhere

Julian Ryallin TokyoPublished: 12:00pm, 3 Oct 2026Five years ago, Sarah and her husband were optimistic about Japan’s economic future and were expanding their small businesses across several sectors.Today, that optimism has been replaced by concern over a sense of hostility towards two hard-working foreigners who feel they have contributed to the society that they have worked hard to fit into.

New regulations that took effect on Thursday mean the two Britons, who have been in Japan for more than 10 years, now face significantly higher costs for visa extensions. The cost of a business manager’s visa – until recently their long-term plan – has jumped from 5 million yen (US$31,666) to 30 million yen.

The permanent residency fee similarly leapt 20 times to 200,000 yen, while additional barriers include an annual income of 5.75 million yen, or above the Japanese average, much higher pension contributions and Japanese language requirements.