ISTANBUL 

Japan is mulling to revise its immigration rules to allow fourth-generation foreigners of Japanese descent to obtain permanent residency.

Currently, the fourth-generation individuals aged 18 to 30 abroad are eligible for employment in Japan through a designated activities visa, with a maximum stay of five years but with no provision of family reunification, Tokyo-based Kyodo News reported.

If the revisions are adopted, the fourth-generation individuals who have lived in Japan for five years can upgrade their status to permanent residency but they are required to possess business-level proficiency in the Japanese language.

Age restrictions will also be relaxed, permitting fourth-generation individuals aged between 18 to 35 to enter Japan under the program for the first time.

The government is expected to attract around 4,000 people annually, primarily from countries like Brazil and Peru, where a significant number of Japanese immigrants settled during the 19th and 20th centuries.

Data, however, shows only 128 individuals had entered the program until the end of last year.

Japan's already dwindling population in 2070 is expected to fall to 87 million, shrinking 30% from its level in 2020.

The Asian nation's current population is 124.9 million but is expected to fall under the 100 million threshold in 2056.

The average age of the population is projected to be 47.6 in 2020 and rise to 54.0 in 2070.