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Japan tightens immigration rules amid accelerating population decline

Japan's population is declining at an increasingly rapid pace, with a significant drop in Japanese nationals and a substantial rise in foreign residents. In response to demographic challenges and a growing foreign population, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's government has implemented stricter and more costly regulations for foreigners seeking permanent residency and other permits. These policy shifts, reflecting a more nationalist stance, have drawn criticism for potentially fostering xenophobia amidst the country's need for workers. AI

RANK_REASON Policy changes by a national government impacting immigration and residency. [lever_c_demoted from significant: ic=1 ai=0.1]

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Japan tightens immigration rules amid accelerating population decline

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Policy changes by a national government impacting immigration and residency. [lever_c_demoted from significant: ic=1 ai=0.1]
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COVERAGE [1]

  1. Fortune TIER_1 English(EN) · Jason Ma ·

    Japan’s population is shrinking at an accelerating rate, but the nationalist prime minister is making it harder for foreigners to live there

    The latest five-year census showed the number of Japanese nationals declined by 3.5% to 119.1 million in 2025, following a 1.4% drop in the 2020 count.