A draft of tough new measures for acquiring permanent residency in Japan has triggered concern among some potential applicants, as the government seeks to tighten immigration controls and crack down on violations by some foreign residents.

The draft guidelines prepared by the Immigration Services Agency, revealed by local media Saturday, would introduce clearer income, pension, language and integration requirements, while raising the bar for some spouses of Japanese nationals and permanent residents to qualify.

Japan’s current guidelines for permanent residency are based on three broad legal requirements: “good conduct,” sufficient assets or skills to maintain an independent livelihood and a finding that granting permanent residency is in Japan’s national interest.