Japan immigration changes: week of 12 October 2026

Japan weighs a cap on immigration: Prime Minister Takaichi announces a foreign resident policy to be decided by March

See if it affects you.

On 13 October 2026, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said her government will finish writing Japan's basic policy on accepting foreign residents by the end of the financial year in March. The government is still weighing whether to put a cap on the number of foreign people allowed to come and live in Japan. This is only an announced plan: nothing has changed yet for anyone applying to work or study in Japan.

This is an announcement, not a law. Nothing has changed yet, announced plans are often changed or dropped, and there is nothing to apply under until it is in force.

Reported in the news. Japan’s Immigration Services Agency hasn’t published it yet, so check the linked report before you rely on it.

Reported by japantimes.co.jp: https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/10/13/japan/politics/takaichi-foreign-national-policy/