Japan's Second Basic Plan for Immigration and Residency Management, published by the Immigration Services Agency on July 30, 2026, states the government will "consider reviewing the independent livelihood requirement and the national interest requirement" for permanent residence. It also newly discloses a policy requiring a certain level of Japanese language proficiency and completion of a program to learn about Japan's systems and rules as approval conditions. This article focuses on that tightening.
① Independent Livelihood Requirement — An Income Threshold Is Under Consideration
Among the statutory requirements for permanent residence, "possessing sufficient assets or skills to maintain an independent livelihood" is flagged for review. Previously reported draft revisions would require income consistently above the average for Japanese households, reportedly applied retroactively to applications filed from April 2026. See our earlier report.
② National Interest Requirement — Including a Pension Benchmark
The "national interest requirement" — that permanent residence conform to Japan's national interests — is also under review. Reported draft revisions would generally require the projected future pension benefit reach a level equivalent to 30 years of employees' pension enrollment, applying to applications filed from April 2027.
③ Japanese Language Ability (Now Officially Confirmed)
The Basic Plan confirms a policy requiring a certain level of Japanese language ability for permanent residence. Earlier reports indicated an "independent user" level (roughly JLPT N2 / CEFR B1) was under consideration; this is now formally corroborated in the government's official document.
④ Completion of a Systems-Education Program (New Information)
Newly revealed in the Basic Plan is a policy requiring completion of a program to learn about Japan's systems and rules as a condition for permanent residence. As of July 30, 2026, no details have been released on the program's operator, content, or required hours — specifics are expected with the Permanent Residence Guidelines revision targeted for October 2026.
- Independent livelihood requirement: review toward requiring income above the average Japanese household income
- National interest requirement: review toward requiring a pension benefit equivalent to 30 years of employees' pension enrollment
- Japanese ability: "independent user" level (approx. JLPT N2 / CEFR B1) to become a condition
- Systems education: completion of a program on Japan's systems and rules to become a new condition (details not yet released)
Expected Implementation Timeline
| Requirement | Expected Effective Timing |
|---|---|
| Income (independent livelihood requirement review) | Reportedly retroactive to applications from April 2026 |
| Pension benefit (national interest requirement review) | Applications filed from April 2027 |
| Japanese language ability | Applications filed from April 2027 (expected) |
| Systems-education program | Details not yet released; expected with October 2026 guideline revision |
This article is based on the policy directions in the Second Basic Plan (published July 30, 2026) and related prior reporting. Individual examination standards will only be finalized with the formal Permanent Residence Guidelines revision targeted for October 2026, so details remain subject to change until then.
Summary
- Japan's Second Basic Plan (published July 30, 2026) confirms a policy of tightening permanent residence requirements
- Beyond the review of independent livelihood and national interest requirements, Japanese ability and a systems-education program are newly revealed as conditions
- Details of the systems-education program remain undisclosed; expected to be clarified in the October 2026 guideline revision
- Those planning to apply for permanent residence should begin preparing now
If you have questions about preparing your permanent residence application or how these changes may affect you, please contact Sakura Central Legal Office (MOJ-certified application agent). Initial consultations are free.
⚖️ Expert Commentary from a Licensed Gyoseishoshi
📋 Practical Background
The most notable aspect of this Basic Plan is that, beyond the previously reported income and pension requirements, two new elements — "Japanese language ability" and "completion of a systems-education program" — are now confirmed in an official government document. Permanent residence screening appears to be shifting from proof of economic self-sufficiency toward an evaluation of social integration as well.
⚠️ Common Misconceptions
It would be premature to give up applying simply because details of the systems-education program remain undisclosed. At the same time, waiting until requirements are finalized to begin preparation may leave insufficient time. Steadily prepare the elements already confirmed — income documentation, pension records, and Japanese-language proficiency evidence.
✅ Actions to Take Now