With fast-track permanent residency rule, Japan looks to shed its closed image With the goal of attracting more skilled foreign workers, Japan moved to relax requirements for permanent residency for such individuals last April. Before the change, skilled non-Japanese workers had to stay in Japan for at least five years before applying for permanent residency, but now only one year is required. Japan Times, 4 Jan 2018.
Welfare ruling stuns foreigners Local governments have been able to choose to give welfare to needy permanent foreign residents since 1954, but now the Supreme Court has decided these permanent residents have no right to welfare payments because they are not Japanese nationals. This will discourage more local governments from giving this aid. Japan Times, 19 July 2014.
A closer look at the Supreme Court’s welfare benefits ruling: Officially, things will stay as they are, but some are not so sure Lawyers and foreign rights advocates see the top court’s ruling as a sign that municipalities will grow more hostile to foreigners, while central and local government officials stress the ruling will by no means change the way they scrutinize foreign applicants. This is a Q&A article that looks at the history of welfare payments to foreign residents and the situation after the current ruling. Japan Times, 25 Jul 2014.
Conservative party to submit bill halting welfare for needy foreigners Jisedai no To (Party for Future Generations) said Tuesday it plans to submit a revised bill to the extraordinary Diet session this fall to exclude poverty-stricken non-Japanese residents from receiving welfare benefits. Japan Times, 26 Aug 2014.
Debate on foreigner voting rights reignites ahead of 2020 Olympics This article looks at the position of the Liberal Democractic Party on local voting rights for permanent foreign residents and at local governments that have given this right to fog reign residents. Japan Times, 20 Aug 2014.
Local vote for foreign residents: time ripe? Permanent foreign residents of Japan may finally face a realistic chance of being granted local-level suffrage under the administration led by the Democratic Party of Japan, which has signaled a willingness to pursue such rights. Japan Times, 1 Dec 2009.
Opinion split over giving permanent foreign residents local voting rights This article on the arguments for and against giving voting rights to foreign permanent residents in local elections focuses mainly on Korean permanent residents and connects this issue with the uqestion of dual nationality. Mainichi Daily News, 24th Nov, 2009. >>> More on voting rights for foreign residents >>>
Shorter stay eyed to qualify as resident Japan might make it easier for “highly skilled professionals” to acquire permanent residency status so it can lure [attract] the talent it needs to rejuvenate [revive] the stagnant economy. Japan Times, 11 Jul 2013.
Permanent visa can relieve pension pain This article looks at whether permanent foreign residents can get a pension in Japan. japan Times, 3 Oct, 2006.
A foreigner in her own home: Shoddy treatment of its Korean residents once again deals Japan a black eye An article about a 72 year old Korean resident of Japan who made an illegal donation to a Japanese politician. It takes a critical view of how Korean residents of Japan are excluded from any involvement in Japanese politics. Economist, May 10, 2011.
Japan to ease permanent resident conditions for foreign professionals The government is considering relaxing requirements for highly skilled foreigners to obtain permanent residency status in Japan as it expects them to help enhance the nation’s international competitiveness, according to government sources. Japan Times, Jan 18, 2014.
Kyoto mayor petitions for permanent resident status for overseas students "To get more overseas students to enroll in Kyoto University and to revive the economy of the town, Kyoto Mayor Keiji Yamada is proposing....granting permanent residence status to overseas students who will be graduating from the university as well as other supportive measures." Japan Daily Press, 15 April, 2015.
Permanent residency As more foreigners choose to remain in Japan long-term, increasing numbers have sought a status change to reflect their commitment to the country and make it easier to build a stable life here. Japan Times, 12 Sep, 2006
Foreign permanent residents on rise, filling gaps The article looks at increased numbers of foreigners in Japan, with various kinds of visa status, focusing on the rise in permanent residents. Japan Times, 3 Jan, 2007.
Permanent Residency (Eijuuken) in Japan: How and Why to Get It From debito.org