Japan Stricter Migration Rules

• Less than 2% of Japanese population is foreign or foreign-born. Despite the growing status of Japan as a major global hub from the 1960s onwards, migration rules have mad it tough for newcomers to settle permanently.
• Nationality law makes acquisition of Japanese citizenship by resident foreigners an elusive goal (the long-term pass-or-go-home test has a success rate of less than 1%).
• Japan faces the challenge of an ageing population.
• There will be 3 workers per 2 retirees by 2060
• Many think Japan's government will need to loosen its grip on immigration.
• What is the success rate of refugee applications?

  1%
• What percentage of Japan's population is foreign or foreign born?

  Less than 2%
• What is the required percentage of foreign-born population for good economic growth in Japan?

  5%
• What challenges do newcomers face in Japan regarding permanent settlement?

  Rules make it tough to settle permanently
• How is Japan's population characterized in terms of age?

  It has an ageing population
• How does Japan's aging rate compare to other countries?

  Japan is aging faster than any country in history
• What societal fear exists in Japan regarding westernization?

  Fear of cultural erosion
• What is the primary language of commerce in Japan?

  Japanese
• Why is Japanese not considered a business language?

  It does not support the erosion of Japanese
• What was Japan's dependency ratio of young to old in 1990?


  1. 1
• What is the projected dependency ratio of young to old in 2025?

  1. 1
• How many hours a week do Japanese workers typically work?

  70 hours a week
• How are Westerners perceived in comparison to Japanese productivity?

  Seen as lazy and unproductive
• What is the trend in reproduction rates in Japan?

  Reproduction is low
• What is encouraged for women regarding career breaks in Japan?

  Encouragement to take career breaks
• What is the median age of Japan's population?

  46.5 years
• What median age would be needed for a youthful workforce in Japan?

  Below 36 years
• What economic event in 1997 affected Japan's recovery?

  Asian financial crash
• How did Japan's economic status change after the Asian financial crash?

  Struggling to recover
• What was Japan's economic position before the Asian financial crash?

  Once challenged USA’s hegemony