Japan’s immigration system is undergoing its most significant changes in decades, with new laws and programs that affect foreign workers, employers, students, and asylum seekers. These updates, passed between June 2024 and June 2025, reshape how Japan manages labor migration, permanent residency, and refugee claims. Here’s a clear summary of what’s changed, who is affected, when the changes take effect, what actions are required, and what these shifts mean for people with pending or future applications.
Summary of Key Changes (2024–2025)
- Abolition of the Technical Intern Training Program (TITP): After 34 years, Japan has ended the TITP, which was often criticized for worker exploitation and lack of clear rights for participants.
- Launch of the Training Work Program: This new program officially welcomes unskilled foreign workers for the first time, but with stricter rules for residency and permanent status.
- Stricter Refugee and Residency Policies: New rules make it easier to deport asylum seekers and tighten requirements for permanent residents, especially around tax and social insurance payments.
- Expanded Labor Migration Pathways: The Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) program is growing, with more slots for foreign workers in sectors facing shortages.
- Tighter Oversight of Welfare and Health Insurance: Foreign residents face closer monitoring of their health insurance and welfare use, with new data collection and enforcement measures.
Let’s break down each change, who is affected, and what steps are needed.
Abolition of the Technical Intern Training Program (TITP) and Introduction of the Training Work Program
What Changed:
On June 14, 2024, Japan’s parliament (the Diet) passed a major amendment to the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act. This law ended the Technical Intern Training Program (TITP) and replaced it with the new Training Work Program. The TITP had allowed employers to bring in foreign workers under the label of “training,” but many saw it as a way to fill labor shortages with few protections for workers.
Who Is Affected:
– Current and future unskilled foreign workers
– Japanese employers in sectors like agriculture, nursing, and construction
– Advocacy groups and NGOs supporting migrant workers
Effective Date:
– The new Training Work Program took effect on June 14, 2024.
Required Actions:
– Employers: Must now use the Training Work Program to hire unskilled foreign workers. They need to apply for approval and follow new compliance rules.
– Workers: Must apply under the new program, meeting health and character requirements, and follow stricter rules for residency and social insurance.
– Current TITP Participants: Those already in Japan under the TITP may need to transition to the new program or adjust their status.
Implications for Pending Applications:
– Applications under the old TITP are no longer accepted. Pending cases may be transferred to the new system, but applicants should check with the Immigration Services Agency of Japan for specific instructions.
Key Features of the Training Work Program:
– Official Acceptance of Unskilled Workers: For the first time, Japan openly welcomes unskilled foreign labor, moving away from the “side door” approach of the TITP.
– Stricter Residency Controls: New rules make it easier for authorities to revoke residency or permanent status if workers fail to pay taxes, skip health insurance, or commit certain crimes.
– Clearer Pathways: The program offers more transparent steps for workers, but with tough compliance checks.
How to Apply for the Training Work Program (as of July 2025):
1. Employer Sponsorship: A Japanese employer must first apply to recruit a foreign worker.
2. Eligibility: Workers must meet health and character standards, plus any job-specific requirements.
3. Visa Application: The worker applies for a visa at a Japanese embassy or consulate, providing proof of employment and other documents.
4. Arrival and Registration: On arrival, workers must register their address, enroll in health insurance, and pay taxes.
5. Longer Stay Options: After several years, some workers may apply for longer-term visas or permanent residency, but stricter checks now apply.
For more details and official forms, visit the Immigration Services Agency of Japan.
Tightening of Refugee and Residency Policies
What Changed:
In June 2025, further amendments to the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act made it easier for authorities to deport asylum seekers under certain conditions. The government also announced draft policies for stricter oversight of foreign residents’ welfare benefits, health insurance, and land ownership.
Who Is Affected:
– Asylum seekers and refugees in Japan
– Foreign residents using welfare or health insurance
– NGOs and advocacy groups
Effective Date:
– Refugee policy changes: June 2025
– Welfare and residency oversight: Draft policy announced June 2025, with implementation expected soon after
Required Actions:
– Asylum Seekers: Must submit applications to the Immigration Services Agency and meet stricter criteria to avoid deportation.
– Foreign Residents: Should ensure they are enrolled in national health insurance and comply with all welfare and residency rules.
– Employers and Support Groups: Need to help foreign workers understand and meet these new requirements.
Implications for Pending Applications:
– Asylum applications submitted before June 2025 will be reviewed under the old rules, but new deportation powers may still apply in some cases.
– Foreign residents with incomplete health insurance or welfare records should update their status immediately to avoid penalties.
Applying for Refugee Status (as of July 2025):
1. Application Submission: File with the Immigration Services Agency.
2. Screening: Authorities review the application; those not meeting new criteria may face deportation.
3. Appeal: Denied applicants can appeal, but the process is now more restrictive.
Expansion of the Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) and High-Skilled Foreign Professional (HSFP) Programs
What Changed:
Japan is increasing the number of foreign workers it accepts under the SSW program, aiming for 820,000 over five years starting in 2024. The SSW visa allows up to five years of residency, with some options for family reunification and, in certain cases, permanent residency. The HSFP program continues to offer faster permanent residency for highly skilled professionals.
Who Is Affected:
– Foreign workers with specific skills
– Employers in sectors with labor shortages (e.g., nursing, construction, agriculture)
– Families of skilled workers
Effective Date:
– SSW expansion: Ongoing since 2019, with new targets set for 2024–2029
Required Actions:
– Workers: Must pass language and skills tests to qualify for the SSW visa.
– Employers: Should prepare to support workers through the application and integration process.
Implications for Pending Applications:
– Applicants already in the SSW pipeline may benefit from expanded quotas, but must still meet all testing and compliance requirements.
Foreign Student and Graduate Recruitment
What Changed:
Japan is actively recruiting more foreign students, with a target of 400,000 by 2033. Special visas allow graduates to stay and look for jobs, and many move into the workforce, often starting with part-time roles.
Who Is Affected:
– Foreign students and recent graduates
– Japanese universities and employers
Effective Date:
– Ongoing
Required Actions:
– Students: Should apply for special job-search visas after graduation and seek employment opportunities.
– Universities: Need to support students in finding jobs and navigating visa rules.
Implications for Pending Applications:
– Students already in Japan can take advantage of these pathways, but should ensure they meet all visa and work requirements.
Tighter Oversight of Welfare, Health Insurance, and Land Ownership
What Changed:
The government is increasing oversight of foreign residents’ use of welfare and health insurance. Only 63% of foreign-headed households paid into the national health insurance system between April and December 2024, compared to 93% of all households. New policies will collect data nationwide and enforce compliance more strictly.
Who Is Affected:
– All foreign residents in Japan
– Employers responsible for worker welfare
Effective Date:
– Draft policy announced June 2025; implementation expected soon
Required Actions:
– Foreign Residents: Must enroll in national health insurance and keep up with payments.
– Employers: Should help workers understand and meet these obligations.
Implications for Pending Applications:
– Foreign residents with incomplete insurance or welfare records may face penalties or risk losing residency status.
Practical Implications for Stakeholders
Migrant Workers:
The new Training Work Program offers a clearer, more direct way to work in Japan, but with strict rules. Workers must pay taxes, enroll in health insurance, and avoid legal trouble to keep their residency. Those who follow the rules may have a path to longer stays or even permanent residency, but the process is tougher than before.
Employers:
Employers now have more ways to hire foreign workers, especially in sectors with labor shortages. However, they must follow stricter reporting and compliance rules, including making sure workers are enrolled in health insurance and paying taxes.
Local Communities:
Communities are seeing more diversity as foreign workers and students arrive. This brings new opportunities but also challenges, such as making sure everyone has access to healthcare and social services.
Advocacy Groups:
While the end of the TITP is seen as progress, many groups worry about the stricter rules for permanent residency and the risk of deportation for minor offenses. They continue to push for better protections and clearer paths to citizenship.
Official Positions and Multiple Perspectives
- Government: The ruling coalition, led by the Liberal Democratic Party, says these changes are needed to address Japan’s shrinking population and labor shortages. However, officials insist that Japan is not adopting a Western-style “immigration policy,” but rather a controlled system for labor migration.
- Experts: Scholars point out that Japan is slowly opening up to foreign labor but is also making it harder for migrants to settle permanently. The OECD notes that while Japan’s labor migration system is becoming more open, integration remains a challenge.
- Advocacy Groups: Human rights groups welcome the end of the TITP but are concerned about the lack of a clear path to citizenship and the new grounds for losing permanent residency.
- Employers: Business groups support the expansion of labor migration programs but want even more flexibility to fill job shortages.
Quantitative Data and Statistics
- Foreign Population: About 2.5 million foreigners live in Japan, just over 2% of the total population.
- Largest Groups: Chinese (0.6%), Vietnamese (0.4%), and South Koreans (0.3%).
- Net Migration Rate: 0.7 migrants per 1,000 people (2024 estimate).
- Birth and Death Rates: 6.9 births and 11.9 deaths per 1,000 people (2024 estimate).
- Foreign Students: 279,274 as of May 2023; target is 400,000 by 2033.
- SSW Intake Target: 820,000 over five years starting in 2024.
Common Questions and Concerns
- Is Japan more open to immigration now?
Yes, Japan is accepting more foreign workers and students, but the government avoids calling this an “immigration policy.” Strict controls remain in place. - Can foreign workers become permanent residents or citizens?
There are pathways, but they are limited and now face stricter checks, especially for tax and insurance compliance. - Are migrant workers protected from abuse?
Protections have improved since 2017, but some risks remain, and enforcement can be uneven. - How does Japan compare to other countries?
Japan has one of the lowest shares of foreign-born residents among developed countries and a very controlled approach to labor migration.
Next Steps and Practical Guidance
- For Workers:
- Check if your application is under the new Training Work Program or another visa category.
- Make sure you are enrolled in health insurance and paying taxes.
- Follow all residency rules to avoid losing your status.
- For Employers:
- Use the new Training Work Program for hiring unskilled workers.
- Support your workers in meeting all legal and compliance requirements.
- For Students:
- Take advantage of special job-search visas after graduation.
- Seek help from your university’s career center for job placement.
- For Asylum Seekers:
- Submit your application as soon as possible and be aware of the stricter screening process.
- Seek legal advice if your application is denied.
For official forms and detailed instructions, visit the Immigration Services Agency of Japan.
Looking Ahead
Japan’s immigration system is changing, but the process is gradual and comes with many rules. The country is opening its doors to more foreign workers and students, but permanent residency and citizenship remain hard to get. As reported by VisaVerge.com, these reforms are a response to real economic needs, but political and cultural resistance to large-scale immigration remains strong.
If you are planning to work, study, or seek asylum in Japan, stay informed about the latest rules, keep your paperwork in order, and seek help from official sources or trusted organizations. The future may bring more changes, so it’s important to stay up to date and prepared.
Learn Today
Technical Intern Training Program (TITP) → A former Japanese program allowing foreign workers under ‘training’ status, criticized for exploitation and limited rights.
Training Work Program → New official program permitting unskilled foreign workers with stricter residency and social insurance rules starting June 2024.
Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act → Japanese law regulating immigration, refugee status, labor migration, and residency conditions.
Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) → Visa category for foreign workers in labor-shortage sectors, allowing up to five years residency, expanded since 2019.
Permanent Residency → A legal status allowing foreigners to live in Japan indefinitely, now subject to stricter tax and insurance compliance.
This Article in a Nutshell
Japan’s immigration reforms replace exploitative training programs with a formal work system for unskilled workers. Stricter residency rules and expanded worker visas reflect economic needs, while asylum policies tighten. Foreign students and skilled workers also gain new pathways amid increasing oversight of welfare and health insurance compliance.
— By VisaVerge.com
