In an analysis published on August 25, 2026, Kyodo News suggested that the trend of foreigners leaving Japan could "accelerate" amid increasingly stringent visa regulations.
The article noted that recent changes in Japan's visa policies are creating greater barriers for foreign workers and international students. This comes as the government aims to boost the foreign workforce to offset severe population aging and labor shortages.
Experts say tighter rules could make Japan less attractive to foreign workers, especially as other countries in the region are fiercely competing for talent. If the trend continues, it could impact Japan's economic growth and its ability to sustain its social security system in the long term.
The article also stressed the urgent need for the Japanese government to balance stricter immigration controls with the actual demand for labor, to avoid exacerbating an already chronic manpower shortage in Asia's fourth-largest economy.
