Table of Contents
ToggleWe’ve outlined Japan statutory updates for 2026
Effective April 2026
Japan to Increase Visa Issuance Fees in Fiscal Year 2026
The Japanese government has announced it will raise visa issuance fees beginning in April 2026 to align with global standards and cover increased administrative costs.
Key Updates:
- The fee increase will apply to a range of visas, including short-term and long-term categories.
- Revised visa fees are expected to be announced closer to the implementation date.
- The change will take effect from April 2026, coinciding with the start of Japan’s 2026 fiscal year.
- The Ministry of Foreign Affairs states that the adjustment is aimed at improving consular services and reflecting current operating costs.
- Employers and foreign nationals planning to apply for visas in Japan after March 2026 should factor in potential cost increases.
Source: BAL
Effective Fiscal Year Ending March 2026
Voluntary Adoption of Sustainability Disclosure Standards for Large Listed Companies
The Sustainability Standards Board of Japan (SSBJ) announced on March 3, 2025, the country’s first sustainability disclosure standards, aligned with the ISSB’s IFRS Sustainability Disclosure Standards. These standards cover Governance, Strategy, Risk Management, and Metrics & Targets, focusing on core sustainability risks and climate-related disclosures. For the fiscal year ending March 2026, adoption of the SSBJ standards is voluntary, but companies are encouraged to begin reporting in preparation for future mandatory requirements.
Key Updates:
- Voluntary application of the SSBJ Standards begins for large listed companies in the fiscal year ending March 31, 2026.
- Mandatory application for companies with a market capitalisation of JPY3 trillion or more (69 companies) will begin in the fiscal year ending March 31, 2027.
- Subsequent mandatory application phases:
- JPY1 trillion+ market cap (179 companies) in FY ending March 31, 2028.
- JPY500 billion+ market cap (294 companies) in FY ending March 31, 2029.
- Reporting must include governance structures, strategy, risk management practices, and metrics/targets related to sustainability and climate.
- Companies are advised to start preparing internal data collection and reporting processes in FY 2026 to ensure readiness for mandatory disclosure.
Source: Japan Financial Services Agency