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Public concern about foreign residents has grown in recent years. Surveys in 2024–2025 show that many Japanese citizens worry about:

• Unpaid health insurance or pension contributions.

• Land purchases or land-use concerns involving foreigners.

• Misuse of visa categories, especially “Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services”

• Rapidly increasing foreign worker population.

Because of these issues, PM Takaichi’s government is taking a firmer stance — focusing on compliance, monitoring, and public reassurance.

One of the most notable reforms is the creation of a new ministerial post dedicated to the co-existence of Japanese citizens and foreign residents.

What this means:

• More centralized oversight of foreign worker policies.

• Faster response to public concerns

• More rules, monitoring, and enforcement.

• Stronger expectations for foreign residents to follow all local laws, especially insurance and taxes

This signals that foreign labor policy will no longer be just about filling jobs — it will also be about maintaining social harmony.

The Takaichi administration is studying whether to cap or limit the issuance of certain work visas, particularly :

Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services (E/S/H/IS) Visa

This visa is one of the most common pathways for OFWs and foreign professionals, covering jobs like :

• IT workers

• Teachers

• Office support staff

• Interpreters

• Marketing roles

• Engineers

Concerns have emerged that some companies may be using this visa in ways that don’t match its intended purpose. Because of that, the government is considering :

• Raising the eligibility requirements

• Stricter job-description checks

• Possible quotas or annual caps

• Enhanced inspections of hiring companies

The new government is expected to tighten checks on :

Insurance payments (National Health Insurance & Pension)

Foreign residents with unpaid contributions may face trouble in :

• Visa renewal

• Changing status

• Applying for Permanent Residency

Tax compliance

Unpaid taxes may trigger investigation during visa processing.

Land purchases by foreigners

The government is reviewing transactions in areas near military bases and sensitive locations.

Workplace compliance

Companies hiring foreign workers will undergo more audits.

Simply put : Japan wants foreign workers who follow the rules perfectly.

The government has instructed relevant ministries to finalize comprehensive policy recommendations by January 2026.

Expected areas of reform :

• New limits or conditions for work visas.

• Stricter requirements for hiring companies.

• New conditions for residency renewals.

• Increased background checks.

• Tougher penalties for rule violations.

• More language-ability requirements in some fields.

• New training or orientation rules for foreign arrivals.

The goal: tighter control, better screening, and improved public confidence — without shutting the door on badly needed labor.

Even with tighter rules, Japan’s demographic crisis is worsening :

• Extremely low birth rate.

• Rapidly aging population.

• Severe shortages in manufacturing, caregiving, agriculture, construction, and IT.

The government knows it cannot run the economy without foreign labor — but wants a system that is more “disciplined, monitored, and socially acceptable.”

Here’s how Filipino workers in Japan can stay safe under the new policies :

• Keep all your insurance & pension payments updated

Don’t skip payments — these are cross-checked during visa renewals.

• Keep a clean record at work

Avoid anything that might appear as visa misuse (e.g., working outside your approved job scope without permission).

• Ensure your employer is compliant

Companies with violations can damage your status too.

• Document everything

Contracts, payslips, tax records, insurance receipts — keep them in order.

• Stay informed

From 2025 to 2026, rules will change quickly. Keep checking news, embassy announcements, and immigration updates.