Understanding the “5-Year” and “1-Year” Review Periods in Japan’s Permanent Residence Application#

Applying for Permanent Residence (PR) in Japan is a significant step for foreign nationals who wish to establish a long-term, stable life in the country. The screening process is notably rigorous, evaluating an applicant’s integration into and contribution to Japanese society from multiple perspectives. The fulfillment of public obligations is an especially critical component of this review. Within this context, two specific timeframes are frequently referenced: the “most recent 5 years” and the “most recent 1 year.” The items examined and the intent behind the review differ between these two periods. This article provides a sincere and objective explanation of the differences between the “5-year” and “1-year” review criteria.

Items Reviewed Over the “Most Recent 5 Years” and Their Significance#

The “most recent 5 years” period is emphasized in PR applications to assess an applicant’s long-term, continuous stability and their sense of responsibility as a member of Japanese society. The immigration authorities look for a proven track record of sincerely fulfilling public duties over an extended period, rather than temporary compliance.

Primary Items Reviewed#

1. Public Pension Payments: Your enrollment and payment status for the National Pension (Kokumin Nenkin) or Employees’ Pension (Kosei Nenkin) are reviewed. As a general rule, you must have fulfilled your enrollment obligations and paid all premiums on time for the entire 5-year period. While past periods of non-payment may be considered in a comprehensive judgment that includes subsequent payment history, a clean record for the most recent 5 years is of paramount importance.
2. Public Health Insurance Payments: Your enrollment and premium payment status for National Health Insurance (Kokumin Kenko Hoken) or company-provided Employees’ Health Insurance (Shakai Hoken) are verified. Similar to the pension requirement, you are expected to have been properly enrolled and to have made all payments without delay for the entire 5-year period.
3. Tax Payments: The review confirms whether you have properly fulfilled your tax obligations, including residence tax and national taxes (such as income tax). Residence tax, in particular, is levied based on the previous year’s income, serving as indirect proof of continuous, stable earnings. You will be required to submit tax payment and tax withholding certificates for the last five years, and it is essential that there are no instances of non-payment, delinquency, or late payments.

The reason these items are scrutinized over a “5-year” span is to objectively verify that the applicant understands and has consistently contributed to Japan’s social security and taxation systems. Failure to meet these obligations during this period can cast significant doubt on an applicant’s suitability for permanent residency.

Items Reviewed Over the “Most Recent 1 Year” and Their Significance#

The “most recent 1 year” period is given special weight to confirm the applicant’s current stability of life and good conduct at the time of application. While a long-term track record is important, your present circumstances heavily influence the final decision.

Primary Items Reviewed#

1. Income (Annual Income): Your income status over the most recent year is used to determine if you have a stable income sufficient to lead an independent livelihood. Although no official minimum is published, an annual income of around ¥3 million is often considered a general benchmark for a single applicant. This benchmark increases depending on the number of dependents you support. You must prove you meet this standard with documents like your most recent tax certificate.
2. Residency Status and Conduct:
   • Days of Absence from Japan: To demonstrate that your primary base of life is in Japan, you should avoid long absences. While there are no explicit rules, being out of the country for approximately 100 days or more in a year, or for more than 3 months on a single trip, can lead to the judgment that your “home base is not in Japan,” increasing the risk of denial. Your travel history in the year immediately preceding the application is scrutinized closely.
   • Legal Compliance: Your record of compliance with Japanese laws, including traffic regulations, is also reviewed. Even minor traffic violations, if frequent, may lead to a judgment that your conduct is not good. Your actions in the most recent year are particularly noted.

The “1-year” review serves as a final check to ensure that, at the time of application, you are leading a stable life within Japanese society and acting as a responsible member of the community.

Conclusion#

To summarize the review criteria based on these timeframes:

• The Most Recent 5 Years: This period is for demonstrating “consistency” and “reliability.” It is used to evaluate whether you have fulfilled public obligations—pension, health insurance, and taxes—over a long term and without delay. This showcases your record of social contribution from the past to the present.
• The Most Recent 1 Year: This period is for proving “current” stability and “suitability.” It is used to confirm that you have sufficient income, a genuine residential base in Japan, and a law-abiding character at the time of your application.

To obtain Permanent Residence, it is necessary to satisfy the requirements of both of these distinct timeframes. When considering an application, it is crucial to accurately understand your own records for the past five years and the most recent year, confirm that all public obligations have been properly met, and proceed with careful preparation.