More middle-aged and elderly Japanese are going abroad for long stays or permanent residence to seek a new life after mandatory or early retirement.

Tour group members of a JTB Corp. English study trip take part in an orientation session in Bournemouth, Britain, in September.

Recently, there has been a growing interest in overseas stays by so-called retiree reserves before mandatory retirement. Inquiries from those in their late 50s to companies offering permanent resident and long-stay procedural services increased sharply in 2000. Those wishing to enter overseas universities and graduate schools are also on the rise.