On April 28, 2026, the Japanese government released an update on the progress of its “Comprehensive Measures for the Acceptance of Foreign Nationals and the Realization of a Society of Harmonious Coexistence,” reflecting the status as of the end of March.
The latest materials show that reforms and stricter operations are advancing across a wide range of areas, including immigration control, residence status, permanent residency and naturalization, healthcare, administrative fees, Japanese language education, and land ownership.
This article organizes the key measures by “Decision / Announcement,” “Start / Implementation,” and “Notes” to make it easier to track future policy developments.
This article will be updated regularly as new progress is announced.
| Category | Key Measure | Decision / Announcement | Start / Implementation | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Immigration Control | Introduction of pre-arrival screening system (JESTA) | Bill submitted in March 2026 | Planned by FY2028 | Japan to Introduce Pre-Arrival Screening System “JESTA” for Visitors |
| Business Manager Visa | Stricter screening under new criteria | October 16, 2025 | In effect | Stricter Requirements for Business Manager Visas |
| Engineer / Specialist Visa | Stricter screening for dispatch-type employment | Announced February 24, 2026 | March 9, 2026 | Written Pledge Required to Prevent Unskilled Labor Under Engineer / Specialist Visa |
| Engineer / Specialist Visa | Stricter requirements for roles involving Japanese communication | Guideline revised | April 15, 2026 | New Rule: Mandatory Japanese Language Proficiency Proof |
| Student Visa | Monitoring and guidance on part-time work | Planned April 2026 | Targeted within April 2026 | In cooperation with Japanese language schools |
| Intra-company Transfer | Review of application documents and stricter screening | Announced February 24, 2026 | April 1, 2026 | Japan Tightens Intra-Company Transfer Visa Screening Before Arrival |
| Permanent Residency | Revision of PR guidelines | Revised February 24, 2026 | Planned April 2027 | Removal of “3-year” preferential treatment |
| Permanent Residency | Revocation due to unpaid taxes/social obligations | Revised February 24, 2026 | Planned April 2027 | Guidelines under preparation |
| Naturalization | Stricter screening including 10-year residency principle | Announced March 27, 2026 | April 1, 2026 | In effect |
| Illegal Stay | Zero illegal overstayers initiative | Ongoing policy | In effect | Number of overstayers declining |
| Fees | Increase in upper limits of residence-related fees | Bill submitted March 2026 | Planned FY2026 | Under legislative review |
| Visa Fees | Revision of visa fees | Public comments Mar–Apr 2026 | Target July 1, 2026 | Government ordinance revision in progress |
| Healthcare | Lower threshold for unpaid medical bill reporting | Policy decided | April 2026 | From ¥200,000 to ¥10,000 |
| Healthcare | Expansion of unpaid bill tracking to mid/long-term residents | Preparation in FY2026 | Planned FY2027 | System updates planned |
| Japanese Language Education | Strengthening regional language education and initial support | Ongoing / under discussion | Expansion from FY2027 | Budget and system design underway |
| Daily Life Rules | Interactive orientation programs | Under consideration 2026 | Planned May 2026 | Approx. 7 sessions per year |
| Public Housing | Monitoring nationality and residence status | Notified February 2026 | Already notified | Request to local governments |
| Land Ownership | Discussions on foreign land acquisition | Started March 2026 | Under consideration | Expert panel discussions |
| Real Estate | Monitoring foreign ownership of condominiums | Survey conducted | Ongoing beyond FY2027 | Further measures under review |
| SSW / ESDP | Management of sector-specific quotas and intake numbers | Cabinet decision January 2026 | In operation | Possible suspension or revision of quotas |
By Hajime Saito
X: @hajimesaitoYJC