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The Japanese government has indicated it may flexibly grant stay extensions to Iranian citizens currently in the country on short-term visas, as many are facing difficulties returning home due to the ongoing conflict involving the United States and Israel in Iran.
Speaking during a session of the House of Representatives of Japan budget committee on Friday, Justice Minister Hiroshi Hiraguchi said the government would consider requests from Iranian nationals who are unable to leave Japan because of the situation in the Middle East.
Hiraguchi noted that he has instructed relevant departments to handle applications from Iranian citizens with careful consideration. The move comes as international travel has been severely disrupted, with flight suspensions and airport closures reported across several regions, particularly in Gulf states, making it difficult for many people to return to their home countries.
According to data from the Immigration Services Agency of Japan, there were about 4,700 Iranian nationals living in Japan as of the end of June 2025. Some of them are currently in the country on short-term visas and could face challenges if their permits expire while travel routes remain restricted.
The discussion was raised after Toru Kunishige, a lawmaker from the Centrist Reform Alliance, asked whether Iran could be treated similarly to previous emergency cases where Japan offered special visa measures.
Japan previously implemented comparable support following the political crisis in Myanmar after the 2021 Myanmar coup. At that time, Myanmar citizens in Japan were allowed to extend their residency and work permits as part of emergency humanitarian measures.
While Hiraguchi did not announce a formal policy change, he stated that the idea of offering similar consideration to Iranian nationals should be examined. The government is expected to continue monitoring the international situation before making a final decision.
The potential visa extensions would provide temporary relief to Iranians in Japan who are currently unable to travel home due to the ongoing instability and travel disruptions caused by the conflict.
