Japan’s government and the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) have begun advancing discussions across several key areas related to the country’s foreign talent and immigration systems.
On November 26, measures to address unpaid medical bills by foreign visitors were discussed.
On November 27, regulations on land purchases by foreign nationals were examined.
Stricter Measures on Unpaid Medical Bills Starting in FY2026
The government plans to significantly tighten measures related to unpaid medical bills by foreign visitors.
Key points:
- Lowering the registration threshold for unpaid bills from ¥200,000 to ¥10,000 (from FY2026)
- Registered information will be reflected in immigration screening
Serious cases may lead to denial of entry - Promoting private medical insurance enrollment before entering Japan
- From FY2027, mid- to long-term residents will also be included
Immigration reviews will consider unpaid medical bills, as well as tax and social insurance delinquency
These revisions come as more foreign visitors receive medical treatment in Japan but fail to pay, creating problems for medical institutions.
Many Japanese hospitals are already struggling financially.
Japanese citizens who cannot pay on the spot are often required to leave a deposit and settle the bill later, and those who fail to pay social insurance premiums may face asset seizure.
Therefore, rather than imposing “stricter rules uniquely on foreigners,” the changes can be seen as aligning the system so that foreign nationals follow the same rules as Japanese citizens.
Discussions on Regulating Land Purchases by Foreign Nationals
The LDP’s Foreign Talent Policy Headquarters has also begun examining rules related to land acquisition by foreign nationals.
Topics under discussion include:
- Strengthening systems to verify the nationality of parties involved in land transactions
- Understanding the actual conditions surrounding condominium purchases and short-term rentals (minpaku)
- Concerns about the impact on local communities
- Considering regulations for sellers, not just buyers
- Policy recommendations expected to be submitted to the government by January 2026
Shindo Yoshitaka, head of the LDP headquarters, emphasized the need to
“first clarify nationality, including that of Japanese citizens,” highlighting the importance of proper rulemaking.
Amid rising real-estate prices in urban areas—partly driven by investment-focused purchases—regulations on Japanese citizens are already being strengthened.
The discussions reflect the idea that foreign buyers should follow the same standards and rules as domestic buyers.
Summary
The government and the LDP are currently reviewing multiple areas of foreign-related policy, including:
- Healthcare
- Land acquisition
- Immigration and residency systems
The goals are:
- Greater transparency
- Stronger safeguards against abuse
- Better alignment with local communities
More detailed policy proposals are expected over the coming months.
Next Read
You can find a clear overview of the core structure of Japan’s foreign-resident system here:
Inside Japan’s New ESDP: What the Government’s Basic Policy Reveals
Source: Nikkei (Nov/26/2025)
Nikkei (Nov/27/2025)
By Hajime Saito
X: @hajimesaitoYJC
