'Unboxing' Proposed New Japanese Visa Requirements on Boxing Day

Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party is considering adding Japanese language proficiency as a requirement for permanent residency for foreigners, sources familiar with the matter said Friday. To obtain the status, foreigners will also be mandated to take a program aimed at helping them smoothly integrate into local communities, the sources said. The envisaged new requirements will be included in a draft package of proposals on policy for foreign nationals, to be compiled next month for submission to the government. Episode notes: ‘Japanese Proficiency Eyed as Permanent Residency Requirements’: https://barrierfreejapan.com/2025/12/23/japanese-proficiency-eyed-as-permanent-residency-requirement/