A Special Permanent Resident (特別永住者, tokubetsu eijūsha) is a resident of Japan with ancestral origins in Japan's former colonies, Korea and Taiwan, during the period of colonial rule.
Individuals in this category had previously been subjects of the Empire of Japan, but had involuntarily lost that status after the war when the Treaty of San Francisco took effect in 1952 (i.e. former citizens of Japan and their descendants).
As of 2023, around 281,218 people in Japan were classified as Special Permanent Residents.
In accordance with the law that took effect in Japan in November 1991, Zainichi Koreans gained Special Permanent Resident status.
[2][3] Although Special Permanent Residents are unable to vote in Japanese elections, they are usually afforded additional rights and privileges beyond those of normal Permanent Residents comparable to a citizen.