Japan Sets 10 Million Yen Income Requirement for Domestic Workers

The Japan Ministry of Justice has announced that employers must demonstrate a minimum household income of at least 10 million yen (N83,715,074) to qualify for hiring a domestic worker. This requirement specifically targets employers classified as highly skilled foreign professionals.

The ministry's guidance indicates that this income threshold is essential for the domestic worker's entry permission. If an employer cannot prove earnings at or above this amount annually, their application for the domestic worker's entry will be denied.

Additionally, the ministry clarified that if an employer's income falls below the threshold after a domestic worker has been granted permission, the worker's residence status will not be immediately revoked. This means the income requirement primarily serves as a condition for entry rather than a continuous obligation that could lead to the worker's legal status being instantly revoked.

This announcement presents a significant financial barrier for Nigerians and other Africans considering domestic work in Japan.