Japan Immigration News

10% of permanent residents failed to pay taxes: Japan immigration sample survey

Release Date: 2024-05-09
Media: The Mainichi
Summary: A recent survey by the Immigration Services Agency of Japan revealed that around 10% of permanent residents in Japan have not paid their taxes or social insurance premiums. This finding was shared on May 8 during a discussion in the House of Representatives' Committee on Judicial Affairs. The agency reported that of 1,825 permanent residence applications processed between January and June 2023, 12.8% (235 applicants) had unpaid taxes or premiums, including resident tax, health insurance, and national pension premiums.

This issue is part of a broader legislative proposal that seeks to tighten rules for granting permanent residency. The proposed amendment includes a provision that could revoke residence permits for permanent residents who willfully fail to meet their tax and social insurance obligations. The amendment is being discussed alongside the replacement of the Technical Intern Training Program with a new system to allow unskilled foreign workers into labor-shortage industries.

Opposition parties, particularly the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan (CDP), have criticized the proposal, arguing that there is insufficient evidence to justify the amendment, as no comprehensive statistics on nonpayment by permanent residents exist. The CDP has submitted a counterproposal requiring government-approved agencies to handle the recruitment of foreign workers, while opposing the stricter rules for permanent residents. They warn that revoking permanent residency without proper debate could make Japan less attractive to foreign workers.
Tags: Permanent Resident

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