Would I move to Japan in 2026?

Worth Living in Japan in 2026? (For Foreigners)

The video addresses whether it’s “worth living in Japan in 2026” for foreigners—especially people motivated by cultural interest rather than purely economic gain. The presenter, a long-term foreign resident, frames the decision through:

1. Practical baseline considerations
2. His personal 2026 outlook compared to his earlier self
3. Policy proposals affecting foreigners

1) Basic considerations for moving in 2026

• Weak yen = economic friction. The presenter argues the yen is likely to remain weak, making it harder to save money, pay debts, or travel frequently—particularly for those who don’t earn high salaries (e.g., common English-teaching roles).

• No “retirement visa” in Japan. He notes foreigners can’t simply retire and legally “plug into the system” via a retirement visa. Other visa types would be required (e.g., spouse, business-related pathways, or other categories like “digital nomad,” though he’s not certain on details).

• Foreigners’ treatment may tighten in areas like social benefits. He mentions discussion in Japan about whether foreigners should be treated differently regarding health insurance and pensions, partly due to concerns that foreigners might skip payments.

• Japanese language skills are increasingly important. He claims public sentiment (possibly fatigue from tourists) is making Japanese people less patient with foreigners who don’t speak Japanese, especially in heavily tourist-frequented areas. He suggests rural areas can be more welcoming—but only if communication is possible, and even then he isn’t sure how broadly true it is.

2) “If it were me in 2026…” personal take

He says he would still choose to come, but with key adjustments:

• Improve Japanese more deliberately.
• Avoid the most tourist-heavy parts of Tokyo (and generally live outside central “foreigner zones”).
• Seek a more local, authentic experience, rather than relying on easy English-based interactions.

He emphasizes he’s not gatekeeping Japan—he’s encouraging people to try—but warns against “rose-colored glasses” and stresses integration and social adaptation.

3) Policy changes and issues foreigners should watch

• Possible caps on foreign workers/visas. He describes discussions (including by Japan’s ruling LDP) about limiting foreign worker numbers—framed around a figure like 1.5 million—while noting political debate about whether that includes already-present residents.

• Business Manager visa tightened (effective Oct 16, 2025). He highlights concrete changes:

  • Capital requirement increased to 30 million yen (from a much lower threshold).
  • Applicants must show a Japanese citizen or permanent resident full-time employee.
  • Need management experience or a relevant higher qualification plus Japanese language skill around JLPT N2 level (or equivalent).

• Language requirements may expand for permanent residency. He argues that language proficiency is already relevant for citizenship (interviews), and suggests language requirements for permanent residency could grow in importance. He believes language requirements tied to incoming visas are less likely due to feasibility and resource barriers.

• Property ownership tracking may increase. He says Japan may require nationality registration when buying land, to address concerns about foreigners owning strategic resources/locations (e.g., near defense-related areas or water resources). He also notes a two-tier property tax idea for foreigners has been discussed, but seems unlikely because of international agreements (WTO/G7-type constraints), making nationality-based discrimination difficult. He mentions a task force studying how other countries handle foreign land ownership.

Overall conclusion

The presenter concludes that Japan can still be a good place to live and should be tried if it genuinely fits someone’s interests. However, the foreigner experience in 2026 may become more demanding due to:

• Currency/economic realities
• Stricter visa/business rules
• Possible tightening around benefits
• Rising public attention to foreigners
• The increasing practical need for Japanese language ability

He advises viewers to keep monitoring policy developments.

Presenters / contributors

• Paul (channel creator; long-term foreign resident in Japan)