Japan Implements Stricter Regulations for Foreign Nationals on Land and Nationality
The Japanese government has formally adopted a comprehensive package of measures aimed at addressing various issues related to foreign nationals residing in or seeking entry into the country. This significant policy shift, approved on Friday, January 23, 2026, includes planned stricter rules governing the acquisition of Japanese land and nationality by non-citizens.
Enhanced Land Acquisition Regulations
According to the newly approved package, the government will establish an outline of legal rules concerning land acquisitions by foreign nationals by the summer of 2026. This decision comes in response to growing concerns about transactions where the purposes and owners remain unclear, with some deals appearing driven by excessive speculation rather than legitimate needs.
The government explicitly stated in the package that "There have been situations in which citizens feel a sense of unease and unfairness over violations of rules and laws and inappropriate uses of systems" by certain foreigners. To develop appropriate regulations addressing these problems, authorities will conduct thorough investigations and identify legislative facts, incorporating perspectives from national security considerations to ensure the upcoming rules are both necessary and legitimate.
Additionally, the government plans to examine foreign examples and launch an expert meeting on the matter as early as February 2026, aiming to initiate substantial discussions about implementing these new land acquisition regulations effectively.
Revised Nationality and Residency Requirements
In a significant policy change, the Japanese government is considering extending the minimum residency requirement for acquiring Japanese nationality from five years to ten years in principle. This adjustment would align the naturalization requirement with the existing standard for obtaining permanent residency status in Japan.
The package also includes plans to add Japanese language proficiency as a formal requirement for permanent residence applications. Furthermore, the government intends to establish a comprehensive Japanese language study program to support foreign nationals in meeting this new language requirement while facilitating their integration into Japanese society.
Strengthened Immigration and Medical Expense Measures
The government will implement tougher immigration screenings for foreign nationals who have accumulated unpaid medical expenses during their stay in Japan. The threshold for triggering these enhanced screenings will be lowered substantially from the current 200,000 yen or more to just 10,000 yen or more in unpaid bills.
Looking toward future measures, the package indicates the government will consider nationalizing remote islands whose owners remain unknown and imposing additional restrictions on foreign nationals permitted to enter Japan. These considerations reflect broader concerns about national security and territorial integrity.
Government Leadership and Implementation Timeline
Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara, who heads the ministerial conference responsible for reviewing policies on foreign nationals, emphasized the government's commitment to implementing these measures promptly. "We want the panel to steadily implement the measures decided and tackle future tasks as soon as possible," Kihara stated during the meeting at the prime minister's office.
This conference represents the second session following an initial meeting held in November 2025, when Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi instructed her government to clarify the direction of future policies concerning foreign nationals. The comprehensive package reflects Japan's stated goal of creating "a society in which both Japanese and foreign nationals live safely with peace of mind and prosper together."
