Japan is tightening procedures related to foreign nationals, including foreign license conversion and the Business Manager status of residence. Future applications will require stronger evidence of actual activity, compliance, and clear documentation.
In April 2026, Japan’s Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) program saw two contrasting developments. The food manufacturing sector added “meat retail” to its list of eligible industries, allowing meat retailers with on-site processing to hire SSW workers. At the same time, the food service sector hit its cap of 50,000 SSW-1 workers—about 46,000 were already in Japan by the end of February 2026—prompting the Immigration Services Agency to halt new applications from April 13, 2026. This article explains the background, practical implications and outlook for both changes.
From April 15, 2026, Japan has clarified when language ability evidence may be required for Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services applications. This does not mean that a Japanese language test is now required for all Gijinkoku cases. The key issue is whether the applicant will mainly engage in customer-facing work using language ability.
From April 15, 2026, certain immigration applications involving Category 3 or Category 4 sponsoring organizations may require a declaration regarding the representative of the sponsoring organization. This is not just an additional form. It reflects a stronger focus on whether the company understands and takes responsibility for the foreign national’s job duties, employment conditions, and acceptance structure.
On March 10, 2026, the Japanese government approved a bill to create JESTA, a new electronic travel authorization system, and to raise the statutory ceiling for certain immigration-related fees, including change of status, extension of period of stay, and permanent residence. The key point is that this does not mean all fees have immediately increased to those maximum amounts. This article explains what foreign residents and employers should know.