Japan to punish longer-term foreign residents in arrears
Under a 'rigorous screening' system, Japan will not renew the visas of mid- and long-term foreign residents who have failed to properly pay medical expenses, taxes or social insurance premiums.
The government plans to introduce the system by June 2027 and is considering amendments to ministerial ordinances. The Immigration Services Agency and the health ministry are also discussing modifications to share information for the new screening system.
The Cabinet on June 13 is expected to approve the government's 'basic policies for economic and fiscal management and reform,' which call for 'an orderly and harmonious society with foreign nationals.'
The plan clearly states that 'effective use of information on nonpayment of taxes and social insurance premiums and nonpayment of medical expenses by foreign nationals will be considered for residency screening.'
Until now, the screening process for the 'specified technical skill visa' checks whether the applicant has paid social insurance premiums.
Failure to pay medical expenses is also taken into consideration in the screening process for 'short-term stays,' such as sightseeing.
The government intends to expand this screening process for medium- and long-term residence statuses, including 'student' and 'family' visas.
Already, permanent residents can lose their status over a willful failure to pay taxes and social insurance premiums under the revised Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Law, which will be enforced within the next two years.
'With the increase in the number of foreign workers and tourists, there have been incidents of crime, disorderly behavior and inappropriate use of various systems that have caused concern among the public,' Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said at a meeting of relevant Cabinet ministers on June 6. 'We will take action in a rigorous way against those who do not follow the rules.'
Ishiba also announced the creation of a secretariat within the Cabinet Secretariat to formulate relevant policies across ministries and agencies.
Under the 'comprehensive measures' in the basic policies, the Cabinet members added the wording, 'It is important for foreign nationals to understand the rules of Japan and to act responsibly' to realize a harmonious society.
Special committees of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party had recommended the 'rigorous screening' system to the government.
DATA LACKING
Foreign nationals who stay in Japan for more than three months must enroll in the national health insurance program if they have not joined a health insurance association at their workplace.
Municipalities are responsible for collecting the premiums from them. But there is no nationwide data on such payments.
The health ministry surveyed about 150 municipalities that keep tabs on collection rates of national health insurance premiums from foreign nationals.
The results showed an overall collection rate of 93 percent. But the rate for foreign residents was 63 percent.
The ministry shared these numbers with the LDP.
Some local governments also informed the Immigration Services Agency about foreign nationals who were maliciously in arrears with their national health insurance premiums.
The agency in 2020 began a trial program in which visa renewals were denied unless the applicants proved they were paying their premiums.
So far, about 30 local governments have participated in the program. The applications of 27 foreign nationals in arrears have been rejected.
UNPAID HOSPITAL BILLS
Regarding medical expenses, a survey released by the health ministry in 2024 found that 65.3 percent of medical institutions that accepted foreign patients had outstanding accounts receivable.
Of the patients who owed money, 29.3 percent were foreign nationals, but their unpaid bills accounted for just 1.4 percent of the total amount owed.
When the data was presented to the LDP, the ministry explained that foreign residents made up only about 1 percent of those insured for hospital expenses and high-cost medical care payments.
Since 2021, the ministry has been collecting information from medical institutions about foreign visitors in Japan who owe 200,000 yen ($1,380) or more in medical expenses.
This information is shared with the Immigration Services Agency and intended for use in screening applications for short-term visas.
However, participation by medical institutions is voluntary, and only a few provide the information.
The government will consider making it mandatory for local governments to check the payment status of social insurance premiums. But that rule is unlikely to apply to health institutions concerning medical fee payments.
'THREATS' TO SAFETY, SECURITY
In May, Justice Minister Keisuke Suzuki announced a seven-point plan for 'zero' illegal immigrants, saying 'the safety and security of the people are being threatened by foreigners who do not follow the rules.'
With an Upper House election expected to be held next month, the government and the LDP are aiming to appeal to conservative voters by taking a tough line on crimes and accidents caused by foreign nationals.
The Justice Ministry and the Immigration Services Agency have cited 'media reports' as the basis for their stricter stance.
Some groups that support and protect the rights of foreign nationals said there is no objective data about foreigners who do not abide by the rules.
They have voiced concern that the government's tougher rules may stir up anxiety and dislike toward foreigners in the country.
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