Instapundit – Author Carlo Carrasco

Japan Tightens Guidelines for Granting Permanent Residency, To Take Effect in April 2027

October 6, 2026October 6, 2026carlocarrasco

In its latest move on reforming immigration, Japan has officially revised its guidelines for granting permanent residency to foreign nationals and these will take effect in April 2027, according to a news report by Kyodo News. Guidelines include Japanese language-proficiency and having an above-average income compared with Japanese households.

To learn about the events that preceded the new residency fees, click here, here and here.

To put things in perspective, posted below is the excerpt from the Kyodo News report. Some parts in boldface…

Japan’s immigration agency on Thursday revised its guidelines for granting permanent residency to foreign nationals, requiring applicants to have an income above the average for Japanese households and demonstrating a certain level of projected pension benefits.

The revised guidelines, which are set to take effect in April 2027, also require applicants to demonstrate Japanese-language proficiency at the level of an “independent user.”

The income requirement will be applied retroactively to applications made from April 2026 onward, as the immigration authorities aim to ensure that foreign applicants are financially independent. The average annual income per household was around 5.75 million yen ($36,500) in 2024.

The government of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has been seeking to tighten regulations on the acceptance of foreign nationals. Fees for residence status applications were also hiked sharply on Thursday.

Applicants will also be required to have projected pension benefits equivalent to those payable after 30 years of enrollment in the employees’ pension program at their income level at the time they apply.

In principle, applicants must have lived in Japan for more than 10 years to qualify for permanent residency.

Previously, spouses of Japanese nationals or permanent residents could obtain permanent residency if they had been married for at least three years and had resided in Japan for at least one year.

However, the revised guidelines raise those thresholds to five years of marriage and three years of residence.

The Immigration Services Agency received around 5,000 public comments since it unveiled the draft guidelines in August.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Are you convinced that the Japanese government is executing the right moves with the revised guidelines? Do you think this latest immigration reform by Japan could inspire other nations to follow suit? What do you think could be the reasons why foreigners want to live permanently in Japan without following their rules, without paying their bills and without learning the Japanese language?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at @CarloCarrascoPH as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

Higher Residency Fees for Foreign Nationals in Japan in Effect

October 2, 2026October 1, 2026carlocarrasco

What Japan promised as a part of immigration reform has finally been executed yesterday. The fees for foreign nationals seeking a change or a renewal of their residency status in Japan has been hiked dramatically to 200,000 Yen (US$1,280), according to a news report by Kyodo News. In relation with this development, there were long lines of foreign nationals who applied at regional immigration service centers hoping to beat the scheduled hike of residency fees.

To learn about the events that preceded the new residency fees, click here, here and here.

To put things in perspective, posted below is the excerpt from the Kyodo News report. Some parts in boldface…

Japan on Thursday hiked fees for foreign nationals seeking to change or renew their residency status, with the cost of permanent residency jumping twentyfold to 200,000 yen ($1,280).

The increase triggered a last-minute rush to apply under the old rates earlier this week, with long lines forming at immigration offices and heavy traffic making it difficult for some people to use the government’s online application system.

At the Osaka Regional Immigration Services Bureau on Tuesday, about 350 people were waiting when the office opened at 9 a.m., with the line stretching outside the building.

Before the hikes, the fees for non-permanent residency applications were 6,000 yen to change residency status or extending the period of stay. The fee for permanent residency was 10,000 yen.

From Thursday, the fee varies according to the period of stay granted, starting at 10,000 yen for three months or less and rising to 75,000 yen for five years or more.

The change comes following a revision to Japan’s immigration and refugee law enacted in May, with the government citing rising costs for visa screening.

For some foreign residents trying to continue working and living in Japan, including asylum seekers who fled hardship at home, the higher fees are adding to their financial burden.

A man in his 30s from East Africa, who came to Japan in 2023, said he is seeking refugee status for political reasons. He is currently unemployed after his seasonal job ended, adding that finding work has been difficult as many Japanese companies are reluctant to hire asylum seekers.

He currently holds a six-month “designated activities” residency status, meaning his renewal fee will rise to 18,000 yen under the new system.

“I like Japan,” he said, adding that he intends to pay the fees required to remain in the country. But he said policymakers should listen more closely to people directly affected by immigration rules.

An Indonesian man, 35, who went to the Osaka immigration office to apply for permanent residency before the increase took effect, said the twentyfold rise had come as a shock.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Now that higher residency fees are already in effect, do you anticipate a huge back backlash by foreign residents and their respective national governments against Japan? Do you think the woke mob and open borders zealots around the world will criticize Japan and pressure them to reverse all the immigration reforms they executed? Do you think the hiked fees will somehow compel illegal aliens and illegal immigrants to surrender to the local authorities and leave Japan?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Trump Administration Trashes Biden-era Title IX Rules, Sex Officially Defined by Biology

September 30, 2026September 29, 2026carlocarrasco

Remember all the craziness that used to infect the United States during the term of the failed US President Joe Biden and his woke administration? Common sense in America continues to get restored as the Trump Administration will proceed with formally removing the Biden-era Title IX regulations and this includes restoring rules that were in place during the first term of President Donald J. Trump, according to a Breitbart news report.

To put things in perspective, posted below is the excerpt from the Breitbart news report. Some parts in boldface…

The Department of Education said Monday it will formally remove the Biden administration’s Title IX regulations and restore rules issued during President Donald Trump’s first term.

The change takes effect Tuesday. Under the final rule issued Monday, the Education Department’s anti-discrimination policy will recognize sex as male or female at birth. It formally removes Biden-era regulations that extended protections based on sexual orientation and gender identity to students and employees at federally funded schools.

The 2024 rules also forced schools to use transgender students’ pronouns and changed how schools handle harassment complaints. A federal court struck down the rules in January 2025.

The Education Department then told schools it would enforce the 2020 rules. Monday’s action puts that change into the published federal regulations; schools have already been operating under the earlier rules.

The department said the last lawsuits over the Biden rules were dismissed in August, clearing the way for it to formally remove them. Education Secretary Linda McMahon said the move would make the written regulations match the court rulings and the rules her department has been enforcing since Trump returned to office:

Today’s rulemaking clears the Biden Administration’s illegal rewrite of Title IX from the Code of Federal Regulations and restores the commonsense language promulgated in the first Trump Administration, which we have been enforcing since the first days of the Administration. Thanks to today’s action, the published Title IX regulations faithfully reflects court orders and Congressional intent—reducing confusion for parents, students, and educational institutions. We will continue to relentlessly champion equal opportunity for all Americans and hold accountable any school or college that violates the rights, privacy, or athletic opportunities of our women and girls.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Are you feeling glad that the Biden-era Title IX rules are no more? Does this development make you feel safer and more confident about your children or relatives in schools? Do you feel that this development ensures protection for women and girls in sports activities or events? What do you think the mob of SJWs, feminists, transgendered and LGBTQ will do in response to this breakthrough?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at @CarloCarrascoPH as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

Japan to Boost Cooperation to Crackdown Against Illegal Foreign Workers

September 26, 2026September 25, 2026carlocarrasco

Japan will intensify its crackdown against illegal foreign workers by boosting cooperation with the other divisions of the government very soon, according to a news report by Jiji Press. While the intention to solve the problems connected with illegal foreign workers is clear, the government of Japan still has varied obstacles that needs to be cleared in order to launch an effective crackdown.

To put things in perspective, posted below is the entire Jiji Press news report. Some parts in boldface…

Japan’s Immigration Services Agency will boost cooperation with other government divisions to crack down on illegal foreign workers.

Starting as early as October, agency officials will join land ministry inspections of demolition and construction sites.

The land ministry conducts regular patrols of demolition and construction sites. However, its construction-related officials do not have the authority to verify the identities of foreign nationals, even when they are suspected of working illegally.

To address this issue, the Immigration Services Agency will send immigration control officers to participate in these patrols, as these officers have the authority to ask foreign residents to show their residence cards, which they are required to carry under the immigration control and refugee recognition law.

The agency also plans to collaborate with the Environment Ministry, which oversees outdoor storage yards for waste plastics and scrap metal.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? If you have been living in Japan, did you notice any illegal acts committed by foreign residents over the past three months? Are you aware of the illegal mosque built in Japan by Pakistani nationals who defied the local authorities? Why do you think foreigners from Third World nations tend to behave negatively while living in Japan? Do you think Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae and her government can achieve comprehensive immigration reform within the next few years?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Prime Minister Takaichi Spotlights Strong Ties with Trump During Meeting

September 24, 2026September 23, 2026carlocarrasco

As planned, Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae met with US President Donald Trump in New York to emphasize the strong bilateral relations before the arrival of China’s president, according to a news report by Kyodo News. Together they discussed several key issues such as the security environment in Asia, Japan’s industry, and more.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt of the Kyodo News report. Some parts in boldface…

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi met with U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday to demonstrate the strength of bilateral relations, just a day before Chinese leader Xi Jinping arrives in Washington for his first state visit in 11 years.

During a meeting in New York, Takaichi and Trump discussed “various issues concerning China, including economic security” and agreed to further strengthen the deterrence and response capabilities of the Japan-U.S. alliance, the Japanese government said.

Takaichi told Trump that the security environment in Asia and elsewhere is becoming increasingly severe, and that she wanted to show the world “how robust our alliance is through holding another round of meetings.”

Takaichi’s roughly 35-minute meeting with Trump, held on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly, was intended to coordinate on China and align policies in areas of mutual interest, according to Japanese officials.

“Thanks to Donald’s leadership and also my own leadership, our bilateral economic security cooperation in areas such as AI, semiconductors and critical minerals has been steadily advancing,” Takaichi also said in front of the press ahead of their closed-door discussions.

Trump also praised his counterpart, saying, “She’s done a great job” and that he has been keeping a close eye on her high approval ratings.

“The industry in Japan is doing very well. The country is doing very well. It’s a very big improvement, and it’s an honor to be with her,” Trump said.

“She’s a friend of mine. We got to know each other very well over the last period of time,” he said of Japan’s first female premier, who took office nearly a year ago. “She’s going to be a great prime minister.”

The meeting was their first since March, when she visited the U.S. capital. They spoke for about five minutes on the margins of a Group of Seven summit in June in France.

Japan and China have been in a diplomatic freeze since Takaichi suggested in November that an attack on Taiwan could constitute an existential threat to her country and warrant a response from its armed forces.

Infuriated by her statement, China, which views Taiwan as part of its territory, has since unleashed a series of political and economic reprisals against Japan, including export restrictions on rare earths needed to manufacture various high-tech products.

China has shown no sign of easing tensions with Japan, with Beijing prioritizing a managed detente with Washington. The Trump administration is concerned about the knock-on impact of the restrictions on U.S. supply chains.

With trade and artificial intelligence likely to top the agenda at the Trump-Xi summit at the White House on Thursday, the officials had said Takaichi would likely use the meeting with Trump to discuss China’s export controls and Tokyo’s willingness to boost cooperation on emerging technologies with Washington.

During their talks, Takaichi and Trump also reaffirmed the two countries’ commitment to the complete denuclearization of North Korea and had a candid discussion of U.S. sanctions against International Criminal Court officials, according to the government.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Do you think the strong ties between the United States and Japan will eventually have a positive impact on international affairs, the security in Asia and other developments? Do you think the US-Japan alliance will push China back from locking in crucial supply chains and infrastructure projects of sovereign nations?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Immigrant from the Philippines Pleads Guilty to Illegally Voting in 2024 US Presidential Election

September 23, 2026September 22, 2026carlocarrasco

There definitely is such a thing as illegally voting in elections in the United States. Since Donald Trump returned as US President in 2025, the government has been unrelenting on pushing back against illegal immigration while restoring the integrity of American elections. That said, an immigrant from the Philippines pleaded guilty to voting illegally in the US Presidential election of 2024 and it happened just months after the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) under failed US President Joe Biden approved her for the green card, according to a news report by Breitbart.

To put things in perspective, posted below is the excerpt from the Breitbart news report. Some parts in boldface…

Last week, the Department of Justice (DOJ) announced that 37-year-old Evelyn Miller of the Philippines, who resided in Emmaus, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty to illegal voting.

On Monday, Breitbart News learned that Miller, who was approved for a green card by Biden’s Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in July 2024, registered to vote on October 9, 2024, and illegally voted in the presidential election on November 5, 2024.

“This alien from the Philippines pleaded guilty to illegally voting in the 2024 election in Pennsylvania,” DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin said in a statement. “Thanks to the hard work of the men and women of HSI, as well as our partners at the Department of Justice, this alien will soon face justice for her efforts to subvert our elections. American elections are for Americans only.”

In the investigation, Miller confessed to Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) agents that she registered to vote online ahead of the election and voted in person on Election Day.

For additional details from the DOJ regarding Evelyn Miller, click https://www.justice.gov/usao-edpa/pr/lehigh-county-woman-pleads-guilty-illegal-voting

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Does this case of illegal voting convince you that there should be more restrictions to prevent green card holders from voting in any election? What do you think is the ideal punishment for green card holders who actually voted? Are you convinced that Democrats would do anything to allow illegal voting in order to gain power?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at @CarloCarrascoPH as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

Japan’s Kikkoman Opens 3rd American Plant to Meet Growing North American Demand

September 21, 2026September 20, 2026carlocarrasco

Kikkoman Corp. – the Japan-based food manufacturer and world’s largest producer of soy sauce – formally launched its third American plant in the state of Wisconsin to meet the growing demand in North America, according to a Jiji Press news article. This is the latest development of Japanese companies (or subsidiaries) investing in the United States.

To put things in perspective, posted below is the entire news article of Jiji Press. Some parts in boldface…

Japanese soy sauce maker Kikkoman Corp. on Friday held an opening ceremony for its third U.S. plant in Jefferson, Wisconsin.

During the ceremony at the new plant, Yuzaburo Mogi, honorary CEO of Kikkoman, said that the company will increase soy sauce production to meet the growing demand in North America.

The third plant has already begun operating and will start shipping products in October. It is scheduled to produce some 4,000 kiloliters of soy sauce by March next year.

Kikkoman is also considering producing teriyaki sauce and “ponzu” citrus-flavored sauce at the plant in the future.

Other attendees at the ceremony included Kikkoman President and CEO Shozaburo Nakano and Senior Executive Corporate Officer Osamu Mogi, as well as local representatives.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? If you are based in the United States, how many Kikkoman products do you have in your kitchen right now? Is Kikkoman your first choice whenever you look for soy sauce?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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America Sanctions Palestinian Authority and PLO Members

September 18, 2026September 17, 2026carlocarrasco

It is official! The United States has officially sanctioned the Palestinian Authority (PA) and members of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) for failing to live up to their commitments as described in two historical commitment acts from 1989 and 2002, the US State Department announced.

As such, the so-called PA president Mahmoud Abbas has been denied an entry visa to the US ahead of the General Assembly of the wicked United Nations (UN). Be aware that the Palestinian Authority is guilty of paying terrorists and actually commits apartheid.

To put things in perspective, posted below is the entire announcement of the State Department. Some parts in boldface…

The State Department has reported to Congress that the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and Palestinian Authority (PA) have, once again, failed to live up to their commitments as described in the PLO Commitments Compliance Act of 1989 (PLOCCA) and the Middle East Peace Commitments Act of 2002 (MEPCA). This includes initiating and supporting actions at international organizations that undermine and contradict prior commitments in support of Security Council Resolution 242 and 338, taking actions to internationalize the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict including through the International Criminal Court (ICC) and International Court of Justice (ICJ), seeking to bypass negotiations through seeking unilateral recognition, and continuing to pay stipends to terrorists and to glorify acts of terrorism and terrorists in public pronouncements and school textbooks.

As a consequence of their failure to reform, contrary to their commitments to the United States, and their ongoing activities that undermine the prospects for peace, the United States will extend sanctions that deny visas to PLO members and PA officials in accordance with section 604(a)(1) of the MEPCA. The Department has maintained the standing waiver for personnel notified to the PLO Observer Mission to the United Nations as was the case in the Department’s prior determinations. It is in our national interest to impose consequences and hold the PLO and PA accountable for glorifying terrorism.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Do you think this latest move by the United States will impact the PA, the PLO and their international partners significantly? Do you think the other nations that took sides with the Palestinians and normalized themselves with Islamic terrorists will think twice about how they do diplomacy? Are you convinced that the Palestinians have a religious and ethnic commitment to terrorism?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at @CarloCarrascoPH as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

Hitachi to Build $528-million Transformer Manufacturing Plant in America

September 17, 2026September 16, 2026carlocarrasco

Hitachi Energy Ltd. – a global leader in energy technology and electrification – announced yesterday that it will invest almost $530 million to construct a transformer manufacturing plant in the state of Mississippi in the United States, according to a news article by Jiji Press. The investment is to help meet the rising power demand as the use artificial intelligence (AI) keeps on rising.

Hitachi Energy Ltd. is the energy arm of the Hitachi Group with over a century of innovation, and a long list completed projects that helped people for their access to dependable energy.

To put things in perspective, posted below is the entire news article of Jiji Press. Some parts in boldface…

Hitachi Energy Ltd. said Wednesday that it will invest 528 million dollars to build a transformer manufacturing plant in Mississippi to meet surging U.S. power demand amid wider use of artificial intelligence.

The Swiss unit of Hitachi Ltd. expects the plant to more than double its production capacity compared with an existing transformer plant in Mississippi. Construction of the new plant will begin later this year, with production scheduled to start in 2029.

The new plant will be “the cornerstone” of Hitachi Energy’s 1.5-billion-dollar U.S. investment plan, the company said.

In September last year, Hitachi Energy said it would invest 1 billion dollars in the United States. It later expanded the plan as Japan pledged to make 550 billion dollars in investment and loans to the United States as part of a bilateral trade agreement.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Do you consider this new investment by Hitachi a crucial one in relation to the rising demand for power in the United States? Are you hoping that the bilateral trade agreement between the United States and Japan will create economic and energy breakthroughs for Americans in the near future?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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America Sanctions Major Russian Bank for Aiding Iran’s Sanctions Evasion

September 16, 2026September 15, 2026carlocarrasco

VTB Bank, one of the major financial institutions of Russia, has officially been sanctioned by the United States for assisting the Islamic terrorist regime of Iran evade sanctions, according to the US State Department’s official announcement.

To put things in perspective, posted below is the whole announcement of the State Department. Some parts in boldface…

The United States sanctioned VTB Bank, one of Russia’s largest financial institutions, for helping Iran evade sanctions and sustain its support for terrorism. VTB Bank opened offices in Iran, built banking ties with sanctioned Iranian financial institutions, and worked to move billions of dollars in Iranian assets.

The United States remains steadfast in cutting off the financial lifelines that allow the Iranian regime to fund terrorism, destabilize the region, and threaten U.S. economic security.

Today’s action sends a clear message to governments and financial institutions considering similar arrangements: any effort to help Iran evade sanctions will carry serious consequences, including exposure to U.S. financial restrictions.

The United States will continue to use every diplomatic and economic tool at its disposal to isolate the Iranian regime. We urge the international community to join this effort to sever the financial lifelines of a regime that threatens peace and security.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Do you think this latest move by the United States will convince more members of the international community to join in the effort to cut the financial lifelines of the Islamic terrorist state Iran? Do you think VTB Bank has a lot of financial ties with your local business community?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at @CarloCarrascoPH as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

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