Proof Of Japanese Language Proficiency A Requirement For Engineer And Specialist Visa
In the latest of the series of reforms implemented by the government of Japan, the proof of Japanese language proficiency will officially become a requirement for individuals applying for the visa status of engineer, and specialist in the fields of humanities or international services, according to a Kyodo News report.
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news report of Kyodo News Some parts in boldface…
The Japanese government has decided to require proof of Japanese language proficiency for individuals seeking the visa status of engineer, specialist in humanities or international services for work requiring Japanese, a source close to the matter said Friday.
The government plans to revise the policy as early as mid-April and tighten screening, prompted by a growing number of cases in which individuals enter the country under a visa status for professions requiring specialized knowledge but work in unskilled jobs not permitted under it.
According to the source, the revised policy will require applicants to submit documentation proving Japanese proficiency at the B2 level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, equivalent to N2 of the Japanese-Language Proficiency Test.
Currently, the policy requires applicants to meet conditions such as a college-level education or its equivalent, as well as relevant work experience, but not Japanese proficiency.
The revision will apply to new applicants for the residence status who are entering Japan and intend to work in jobs requiring Japanese. International students seeking to transition to the status will be exempt.
It also stipulates that companies barred for five years from accepting workers under the controversial technical intern training or specified skilled worker programs due to issues such as assault or unpaid wages will also be prohibited from accepting workers under the visa status until the suspension period expires.
According to the Immigration Services Agency, the number of foreign residents in Japan stood at around 4.13 million as of the end of 2025.
Those staying under the visa status for engineer, specialist in humanities or international services totaled around 475,000, making them the second-largest group of foreign residents after permanent residents, who numbered about 947,000.
Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Do you think the new policy will create positive results with regards to those who applied for the engineer and specialist visa? Do you think Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae has done enough on reforming immigration and the visa application processes?
You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.
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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco
#Asia #Bing #CarloCarrasco #ChatGPT #democracy #diversity #engineering #Facebook #geek #geopolitics #Google #GoogleSearch #governance #immigrants #immigration #immigrationReform #Inclusion #Instagram #Instapundit #Investagrams #Japan #Japanese #KyodoNews #language #languageProficiency #migrants #naturalization #Nippon #PrimeMinisterOfJapan #SanaeTakaichi #socialMedia #TakaichiSanae #Tumblr #WordPress #WordPressComForeign Residents In Japan Exceed 4 Million
The total number of foreigners living in Japan has exceeded four million (as of 2025) based on the official numbers released by the government, according to a Kyodo News report.
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news report of Kyodo News Some parts in boldface…
The number of foreign nationals residing in Japan hit a record 4.13 million in 2025, topping 4 million for the first time, aided by a rise in permanent residents and foreign workers, government data showed Friday.
According to the Immigration Services Agency, 4,125,395 foreign nationals were residing in Japan at the end of 2025, up 9.5 percent from the previous year, hitting a record high for the fourth consecutive year.
They accounted for 3.36 percent of the country’s population, up from 3.04 percent last year. Around 947,000 were permanent residents, while 475,000 were holders of visas in specialized work fields such as engineering or the humanities.
By nationality, Chinese topped the list of foreign residents in Japan at 930,000. Vietnamese came second at around 681,000, followed by South Koreans at around 407,000.
Japan also had around 356,000 Filipinos and around 300,000 Nepalese. Sri Lankans, at around 79,000, ranked ninth, up from 12th place in 2024.
Known for its strict immigration policy, Japan has been gradually opening its doors to foreign workers in recent years as the country faces labor shortages due to the aging of society.
Its refugee recognition system is also seen as stringent. The agency announced that 187 foreigners were recognized as refugees last year, down 3 from the year before. The total includes 123 Afghans, 26 Yemenis and 11 Chinese.
Japan accepted a total of 474 people, mostly Ukrainians, under what is known as the complementary protection system that treats those fleeing conflict as equivalent to refugees. The number fell sharply, by 1,187 from 2024.
The government granted residential status to 525 people on humanitarian grounds.
The number of foreign nationals applying for refugee status dropped 8.7 percent to around 11,000. The figure has been on a downward trend since the agency introduced a plan to eliminate “illegal immigrants for the safety and security” of Japan in May last year.
Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Do you think Japan can solve its labor shortage problem without relying on foreign immigrants? Do you think any significant changes on immigration in Japan will happen under the administration of Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae over the next few years? Why do you think there are many foreigners who are applying for refugee status in Japan? Did you notice a high number of Muslim foreigners causing disturbances in Japan recently?
You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.
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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco
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