Micaiah Stevens

“There's already a significant language and cultural barrier that prevents some talent from coming over. This just doesn't strike me as a plan that was thought out to the long term.”

Micaiah Stevens · said date not stated · reported 2026-10-01

Stevens questioned whether the new immigration measures were thought out for the long term.

“My immediate reaction was that foreigners were being treated a bit too conveniently. We're being asked to make more than the average Japanese person, pay a significantly higher fee, just to be able to work in Japan and provide taxes,”

Micaiah Stevens · said date not stated · reported 2026-10-01

Stevens, a 37-year-old who has lived and worked in Tokyo for 10 years, was unable to submit his permanent residency application before the fee hike.