Japan is making a big change that affects people who want to live there forever. The government is raising the cost to apply for permanent residency by 2,000 percent. That is 20 times more than what it used to cost.

This news has caused a lot of stress for foreigners living in Japan. Because of this massive price hike, many people have been rushing to immigration offices to get their applications in before the new rules take full effect. Some offices have seen huge lines of people waiting for hours.

Government officials have said that this change comes from a sense of 'anxiety' regarding the number of foreign residents. They are trying to tighten up the rules for how people become permanent residents. Sanae Takaichi, a prominent politician, has been a leading voice in pushing for these stricter requirements.

Before this change, the process was much cheaper. Now, the jump in price is making it very difficult for many families and workers to afford the paperwork needed to stay in the country long-term.

Immigration offices are currently struggling to handle all the extra work. If you are planning to apply for residency in Japan, expect to pay a lot more money and deal with much longer wait times than before.

Source: The New York Times