According to news reports from Japan, the Ministry of Justice has amended certain provisions of the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act and announced that the “Digital Nomad” visa system will officially be implemented on April 1, 2024. This visa is intended for foreign nationals who have employment contracts with foreign companies or organizations and engage in communication technology work in Japan.

The target group envisioned by the Japan Immigration Bureau includes IT/software developers, digital designers, online secretaries, and sole proprietors managing foreign companies who engage in remote work. The requirements include an annual income of at least 10 million Japanese yen (approximately 500,000 RMB) and residency status in a country or region that allows entry into Japan without a visa.

Proof of annual income needs to be submitted, such as tax payment certificates or income statements, from the applicant’s home country/region. According to the Immigration Bureau, this system is currently in practice in 49 countries and regions, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Singapore, South Korea, and Taiwan.

Regarding digital nomads, many countries have implemented related policies. In Europe, for example, Germany has a Freiberufler visa, which allows individuals to reside and work legally in the country.

Germany was the first country to introduce such a special freedom visa. The program is applicable to non-European Union nationals who wish to stay in Germany for up to one year. Some countries or regions may allow spouses and children to accompany the visa holder, with a maximum residency period of up to six months in Japan. Additionally, individuals must participate in private medical insurance of 10 million yen or more to cover treatment costs for injuries and illnesses.

The concept of digital nomadism originated in Japan in 2020 as part of the realization of “digital revolution” objectives, referring to individuals who can work and earn a living anywhere with the use of internet technology and digital tools.

They are not tied to a fixed office, relying on remote work or self-employment to work and earn a living on a global scale. Digital nomads typically use the internet to complete various tasks, such as conducting their own businesses, engaging in remote collaborations with clients or colleagues, and conducting online sales.

They are not limited by geographical locations and can travel and work worldwide, enjoying a flexible lifestyle. Digital nomads generally require certain digital skills, such as website development, social media marketing, content creation, and software programming.

With the impact of the pandemic and the drive towards digitization, this new way of working is becoming increasingly known and accepted by more people. Many digital nomads can earn salaries comparable to those in major cities while living in second or third-tier cities, making this new work and lifestyle method popular among young people.

The number of countries offering digital nomad visas has increased dramatically due to the outbreak of the pandemic, and thousands of remote workers worldwide have embraced the idea of working independently in the location of their choice.
According to a report released by MBOPartners last year, there are currently 17.3 million American workers who consider themselves digital nomads. After experiencing an explosive growth of 131% from 2019 to 2022, this number increased by 2% in the past year.

Approximately two-thirds (64%) of digital nomads are from the Millennial Generation (37%) and Generation X (27%). The Generation Z, born between 1997 and 2012 and now of legal age, accounts for one-fifth (21%) of digital nomads.
For countries like Japan, it is entirely reasonable to allow workers to support themselves with their own income in the country for a certain period without taking away job opportunities from its own citizens.

Minister of Justice Ryota Koizumi stated in a press conference last week that “digital nomads will become a source of innovation, and while many countries are striving to attract digital nomads, I also hope that these individuals can work in Japan.”