Japan is considering a proposal to tighten the application process for acquiring permanent residency by foreigners. The new proposal aims to establish stricter requirements, fuelled by a variety of concerns including security, economic balance, and assimilation of foreigners into Japanese society. Details of the exact changes are still not public, but the prospective legislation has stirred discussions among both locals and the expat community.

In Japan, this proposed change is often viewed through the lens of cultural preservation and security concerns. Japan's homogeneous society values cultural stability and public safety. Its immigration policies are already considered strict even under current standards. Therefore, further tightening of these rules is anticipated to make assimilation for foreigners even more challenging.

In contrast, countries in the EU and US generally have more flexible requirements for permanent residency, considering factors such as employment history and family ties instead of strict criteria. Discussions about increasing or decreasing these requirements typically center around economic conditions and workforce needs, not primarily security or cultural preservation.