Japan is accepting permanent residents. Less stringent criteria. Here's how to apply.

Japan welcoming the gaijins? Nani?

Kayla Wong | November 20, 2017, 06:57 PM

Japan has restructured its immigration policy in April this year, adjusting its five-year-old point-based system for "highly skilled foreign professionals".

The country is known for being extremely conservative about immigration and its immigration policy in the past have reflected its image as an insular nation.

Immigration as solution to ageing population

However, given its rapidly ageing population, there are some who see immigration as the only realistic solution to Japan's demographic woes.

Under the new policy, Japan has no caps on the number of permanent residents, doesn’t require permanent residence to apply for citizenship, and has promised to accelerate applications for highly qualified applicants to within a year.

So if you've always dreamt of living in Japan, here's a rough guide:

  • Rack up enough points -- at least 70 from among the categories below -- and you can reside permanently in Japan after having lived there for three years.
  • With 80 points, you can apply for permanent residency within a year.

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According to Quartz, these are the three kinds of smart people that Japan wants:

1. The academic researchers

Japan wants people specialising in "advanced academic research activities", people like scholars, lecturers, and researchers.

You'll get an immediate 70 points if you hold a doctoral degree (+30), be in your twenties (+15), have at least seven years of research experience (+15), and work for an organisation that receives funding for innovation. Oh, patents and published papers earn points too.

2. The technical specialist

Applicants working in "advanced specialised/technical activities" in the sciences or humanities are sought after by Japan too. These include the doctors, programmers, and lab technicians.

You don't need to have a masters or doctoral degree for this category, so if you hold a bachelor's (+10), have at least a decade of working experience (+20), be in your early thirties (+10), and are raking in at least ¥8 million (about S$97,000) each year (+30), you're well on your way towards the ideal foreigner Japan wants.

3. The business person

Lastly, Japan is seeking the executives, MBAs, and all those in the "advanced business management activities". If you have an advanced degree (+20) and make at least ¥30 million (~S$362,000) a year (+50), that's a solid 70 points already.

Additionally, you score extra points if you are:

Young

Being in your twenties can earn you 15 points if you're a researcher or hold a technical job.

Highly-experienced

Gain up to 25 points if you've worked for more than a decade in a business career.

Proficient in Japanese 

Over 98 percent of people in Japan are locals whose first or only language is Japanese so it'd make sense if you know the language as well. If you pass the Japanese Language Proficiency Test or have majored in Japanese before, that's a quick 15 points.

A high-income earner

Earning between ¥8 million - ¥10 million (about S$97,000 - S$121,000) a year will get you 30 to 40 points.

Still feeling undaunted and want to make your way to Japan? Consult this table to tally up your points.

Top image via Immigration Bureau of Japan