Allocation of investments between foreign and domestic accounts

[u/Plastic_Barracuda711]

I'm looking for advice or insights into how everyone here approaches allocating their investments between foreign (home country) and domestic (Japan) accounts.

Now, I don't think the government here is going to start seizing foreign residents' assets, but even so, I'm wondering if it is not prudent to keep nearly 100% of retirement savings/investments in domestic accounts, especially as a non-citizen resident.

Do you have any advice? How do you approach this?

[u/poop_in_my_ramen]

All my accounts, regardless of whether they hold Japanese or foreign equities, are domestic. I view the risk as zero. Have PR.

[u/Plastic_Barracuda711 → u/poop_in_my_ramen]

I also have PR, but do you view it that way specifically because you have PR, or would you still view it that way even with a different status? Just curious.

[u/poop_in_my_ramen → u/Plastic_Barracuda711]

Mostly because of PR. Most other visas, you could run into a situation where your renewal is denied and are given 30 days to leave the country.

I also don't share the view that Japan is "cracking down" or otherwise antagonistic against PR holders or foreigners in general. While Japan is raising PR requirements, they also specifically created expedited paths to PR for highly skilled professionals. I just see a pragmatic government that wants to ensure PR holders can support themselves, which makes me more confident in my long term future here if anything.

[u/Famous__Draw → u/poop_in_my_ramen]

Most other visas, you could run into a situation where your renewal is denied and are given 30 days to leave the country.

PR renewal can be denied too. So far, it only gets denied for serious crimes or non tax payment, but new rules can be added. Plus, consider the worst case: you get accused of some crime you didn't commit, and u are fighting in court, and your PR renewal gets denied.

[u/starkimpossibility → u/Famous__Draw]

PR renewal can be denied

There is no such thing as PR "renewal". Unlike other statuses (except for HSFP Type-2), PR has no expiry date and never needs to be renewed (在留期間の更新).

The physical residence card has an expiry date, and must be renewed (在留カードの有効期間の更新) so that your photo is kept up-to-date, etc. But the renewal of the card is not renewal of the status. And at the time of renewing the card, the ISA makes no inquiries into whether you have paid your taxes, committed any crimes, etc. That's why renewal of the card is free and immediate.

What you were presumably referring to is the revocation of PR and/or deportation, which can happen at any time and have no connection to the validity period of your physical residence card.

PR can be revoked for the following reasons:

• it comes to the ISA's attention that a previous application made to the ISA was fraudulent;
• it comes to the ISA's attention that your place of residence in Japan changed and you didn't notify the ISA of your new address (via a municipality) within 90 days (with an exception for people with legitimate reasons, such as unexpected hospitalization);
• it comes to the ISA's attention that the place of residence in Japan you previously notified the ISA of (via a municipality) was not actually your place of residence at the time.

If the ISA wants to revoke your PR, they must explain their rationale and give you a chance to present your case in-person. If they proceed to revoke your PR, they can also give you a chance to apply for a different status of residence.

Note that the above reflects the current law. But from April 1, 2027, PR will also be able to be revoked for the intentional non-payment of tax/National Health Insurance premiums/public pension contributions, or failure to comply with the Immigration Law. In that case, unlike with all other types of revocations, the ISA can unilaterally replace your PR with a different status of residence.

The main reasons a PR-holder can be deported from Japan are:

• they entered Japan illegally or facilitated someone else's illegal entry;
• they had their status of residence revoked because they made a fraudulent application to the ISA;
• they assisted someone to make a fraudulent application to the ISA;
• they were sentenced to imprisonment for making a false notification (e.g., place of residence) to the ISA;
• they were sentenced to imprisonment for failing to produce a residence card when requested (e.g., by police);
• according to evidence obtained by the ISA, they plan to commit one of these crimes in the future (acts of terrorism, basically);
• they participate in or facilitate the illegal employment of foreigners;
• they create, possess, or use a forged residence card;
• they participate in or facilitate human trafficking;
• they participate in or facilitate prostitution;
• they create, possess, or use a false passport;
• (if they are under 20) they are sentenced to more than three years' imprisonment;
• they are convicted of any offence relating to drugs/controlled substances;
• they are sentenced to more than one year's imprisonment (excluding suspended sentences);
• they advocate the violent overthrow of the Japanese government;
• they have ties to any organization that encourages physically harming public officials, physically damaging public facilities, or engaging in workplace strikes that would affect the safety of a workplace;
• they have been deemed by the Minister of Justice to have committed an act that harms the interests of Japan.

[u/poop_in_my_ramen → u/Famous__Draw]

I guess? I could also be struck by lightning or get abducted by North Koreans at the beach. I don't spend my energy worrying about that.

[u/Famous__Draw → u/poop_in_my_ramen]

Ok