Japan's government is considering a policy review that will make fluency in Japanese a key requirement for foreigners seeking permanent residency. The initiative aims to streamline the integration of foreign residents into Japanese society. It is yet to be laid out when and how these new measures will be implemented.

As an island nation, Japan has traditionally been closed off to foreign influence. In recent years, due to a low birth rate and rapidly aging population, Japan has started accepting more foreign workers. This potential policy change reflects the country's increasing need to ensure efficient integration of foreigners, valuing their language proficiency as an aspect of cultural assimilation.

In contrast, the US and EU countries have different approaches to immigration. While language proficiency may play a part in the immigration equation, these countries place more emphasis on economic factors, asylum considerations, and family reunification.