Gearoid Reidy, Columnist

Japan Is Right to Rethink Its Immigration Approach

January 12, 2026 at 8:00 PM UTC

Gearoid Reidy is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist covering Japan and the Koreas. He previously led the breaking news team in North Asia, and was the Tokyo deputy bureau chief.

Japan needs to find the right balance on immigration.
Photographer: Shoko Takayasu/Bloomberg

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The world can’t get enough of Japan. The feeling isn’t exactly mutual.

Amid a surge in arrivals of both migrants and tourists, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has made rethinking the agenda around foreign nationals one of her top priorities. A full plan will be announced this month, set to include stricter conditions for permanent residency and citizenship, pricier visa renewals, a tougher review of property purchases, and a higher departure charge1.