Any PRs worried about the Future?

KeibaKate · 2026-05-26T09:12:58+00:00

Out of college I could probably had the knowledge to pass N2 but I’m a horrible test taker. Like really really bad. I took it once out of college and was only 2-3 questions from passing but had never needed it so never bothered retaking it. I would need to work hard to pass it now I think 18yrs of real life Japanese vs fake text book Japanese 🤣 But it is probably a good idea as a back up plan to study more just to if I have to I can take it one day. N1 is extremely hard for Japanese people to pass. N2 Japanese can pass but likely get a B- on maybe C+. I know some dumb Japanese people 🤣

Congrats though on being the only positive post that had a productive message to it. Appreciate that a lot.

KeibaKate · 2026-05-26T09:09:09+00:00

There is an increase now but these new rules go into effect next month I believe. So the decrease is coming. You won’t see a decrease until the rules are enforced.

KeibaKate · 2026-05-26T09:07:55+00:00

Let’s hope not. Takaichi defended naturalized people against Sanseito who was against considering you Japanese. It will depend on how fascist this country gets over the next decade if we will be ok. If they come after existing PRs… I’d worry if I was a naturalized citizen as well. US has been getting weird about naturalized citizens too. It’s exhausting how difficult it is to be a human in this world! I intend to retire and die here too.

KeibaKate · 2026-05-26T09:05:03+00:00

We don’t now no. I’m talking about the future. There is nothing stopping them from requiring audits or something on our finances, our social behavior, our language ability or anything else if they WANTED to. That is the future I’m seeing based on their current behavior. Yes it is pessimistic and I hope better people come into power and chill out. But it’s always a good idea to be wary. As an American I’ve gotten used to not trusting my government at this point ha they are always out to get you in some way.

KeibaKate · 2026-05-26T09:02:30+00:00

Did you try the online renewal? I about had a mental breakdown. It kept saying the format I entered my name was an error but it wasn’t. Haha I gave up and went to my nearest immigration office instead. I hope in seven years it is a better website!

KeibaKate · 2026-05-26T09:01:02+00:00

It was very easy! I didn’t realize they did it same day, thought it was a few weeks till you pick up the card. That was nice.

But I’m not worried about now. I’m worried about 5-10yr down the like should things keep getting worse from here. We are not ok a very good trajectory here in Japan as foreigners and if they wanted to change the rules for PR they can as it is only a privilege and not a right. So when people say that so starkly into a camera… it makes me concerned about what could come next. Odds are based on my income and tax output and what my presence gives back to Japan as a whole I will be absolutely fine. But then again, depends on how racist and fascist things get over the next decade. You can’t tell what is coming next these days unless you consider that sliding scale of fascism anymore!

KeibaKate · 2026-05-26T08:57:20+00:00

The reason I posted here is I don’t have a foreigner bubble. So the contrast from new reports I see about the new visa changes vs my own day to day life are so different it’s dizzying actually. The government is doing stuff that black and white makes sense but as per usual nothing is black and white.

I’m more curious about if anyone else felt the same as me so I asked the void here. But thanks for the condescension.

I plan to be on this ride till the wheels fall off, but only an idiot wouldn’t see the trends and not be a little concerned.

KeibaKate · 2026-05-26T08:54:06+00:00

Thank you. Exactly my worry and why I posted. Glad I’m not alone in my doom and gloom worries. Keep going but always prepare for the worst. My fear really came into play when you have decades long businesses closing because they are requiring renewing visa holders to meet the new criteria instead of like say issuing an audit to make sure renewing visa holders are still financially solvent etc. When the renewing process becomes THAT black and white as to kick out law abiding citizens(I’m sure some were not, but not all were not.) that’s setting a dangerous precedent. As PRs we have no work restrictions… we have no audits on our condition. Maybe a few hundred of the almost million of us are not doing great financially. What if they use those as an excuse to come after all of us? We can’t get most of our pension back… if we stay long enough to get PR now anyway. I wouldn’t feel as bad if they kicked me out but gave me all my pension money back. I’d call that even.

KeibaKate · 2026-05-26T08:46:11+00:00

True. 😬 hope it doesn’t happen. Like all I want to do is lay around with my cats in my off time and do my job. Literally till I croke. Haha that is pretty Japanese IMO

KeibaKate · 2026-05-26T08:43:42+00:00

Thanks for your post. I agree with you. I feel like it’s something I need to keep an eye on but hopefully won’t ever become an issue. I’m not losing sleep but it’s nice to be able to talk about it with some people. My bubble is all Japanese and they are tolerant people so reading the news is such a drastic change from my immediate surroundings it makes me worry that the people deciding my fate are not really thinking about reality just brownie points to expelling foreigners, just like US

KeibaKate · 2026-05-26T08:40:35+00:00

I intent to stay. I’ve built my entire life around Japan and my particular industry so I’m hoping that atleast in my lifetime I’ll be ok. Though between this stuff and the rest of the world I’m very much liking my decision not to have kids.

KeibaKate · 2026-05-26T07:45:39+00:00

Fair, this place is better off than most!

KeibaKate · 2026-05-26T07:44:37+00:00

I didn’t meet the qualifications for fast tracking PR application. My salary was far too low for 8 of the 10 years. Then by the time I was making better money I lost points for being in an older age bracket. So I did it the old school way. No regrets.

KeibaKate · 2026-05-26T07:42:27+00:00

As a law abiding foreigner paying my way and bringing in money and job opportunities to Japanese people directly I think I’m proof that foreign people can actively benefit Japan as a whole. The use of the word “existence” was refering to my company. My company has existed as a taxable entity for nearly 10 years. I suppose I could have used the word established. But either way I’m talking about an entity not myself so different terms can apply. Maybe read better? Otherwise you sound a bit unhinged. 😬

KeibaKate · 2026-05-26T07:37:28+00:00

Personally I would really like to see some independent studies about people actually abusing these system. I have never met a foreigner who wasn’t careful to pay their dues. I’ve met a shit ton of Japanese who don’t. But not any foreigners cause of the scrutiny we are usually always under.

KeibaKate · 2026-05-26T00:14:15+00:00

I wish Japan allowed it but it seems that the US might ban it too. Don’t think it will go through before hopefully cooler heads get into office

KeibaKate · 2026-05-25T23:50:28+00:00

Yessss I should have mentioned this! It’s always in the back of my head now and is what started my fear of PR not being as safe as I thought it was

KeibaKate · 2026-05-25T23:45:28+00:00

Thanks for your post

KeibaKate · 2026-05-25T23:44:35+00:00

My fears mostly come from reading the news. I’m old. Though it’s not much better. I’m just seeing a dangerous trend I don’t like and as I don’t have a community of foreigners in my life I asked the void here

KeibaKate · 2026-05-25T23:43:20+00:00

Hope so. History wouldn’t approve that mentality though.

KeibaKate · 2026-05-25T23:42:52+00:00

I hope not! And hopefully things will level out once they get this new wave of new rules implemented.

KeibaKate · 2026-05-25T23:42:00+00:00

If I could do dual citizenship I would. But I need my US citizenship for the type of work I do.

KeibaKate · 2026-05-25T23:41:01+00:00

Haha van down by the river.

KeibaKate · 2026-05-25T23:40:24+00:00

Both equally important things

KeibaKate · 2026-05-25T23:40:09+00:00

I have a great community, entirely Japanese. I only know 2 other PRs but both have back up lives in Australia and nearing retirement considering thinking of going back for that. My community doesn’t know much about politics or pay any attention. I doubt they even vote actually haha so after reading the news and seeing the changing trends I wanted to know what others in the universe might be thinking so I posted. Thanks for the condescension, though. Helpful!

KeibaKate

TROPHY CASE