Japan raises permanent residency fee by 20 times

TOKYO, Oct 1: Japan has raised fees for foreigners seeking permanent residency in the country by 20 times to 200,000 yen ($1,270; £955).

Those seeking permanent residency must now also meet new income, pension and Japanese-language requirements.

Long lines formed outside immigration offices earlier this week as applicants sought to beat the fee hikes, with Tokyo's main immigration bureau reporting wait times of over seven hours. 

The fee increases are part of a series of changes to Japan's immigration policy under Prime Minister SanaeTakaichi, which aim to manage its rapidly growing foreign population.

In July, Japan implemented a five-fold increase in visa fees for all foreigners �" its first visa fee hike in 50 years.

Authorities said this was meant to "reflect inflation and exchange rate fluctuations". �"BBC