Editorial: Japan politicians must stop fueling anti-foreigner sentiment for electoral gains

The Mainichi

12-07-2025

When politicians continue to stoke public alarm toward foreigners, they risk spreading xenophobic sentiment throughout society.
For the July 20 House of Councillors race in Japan, multiple political parties have adopted campaign promises calling for stricter immigration policies and other measures targeting foreign residents. This is a development unseen in previous elections.
The ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) has embraced the slogan "zero illegal immigrants," promising stronger crackdowns on unlawful employment and proposing that any social insurance or medical bill payment defaults by foreigners could count against them during residency screenings.
For its part, the opposition Democratic Party for the People (DPFP) cited national security concerns in support of tighter controls on foreign ownership of Japanese real estate. The party also proposed introducing new taxes to tackle speculative foreign investment, claiming that it's driving up domestic property prices.
One party particularly prominent in its anti-foreigner stance is Sanseito, which has declared an explicit "Japanese First" platform. The minor party claims that increasing numbers of foreign workers suppress wages for Japanese citizens and calls for restricting their entry. It has also advocated halting welfare benefits to foreign nationals and tightening the criteria for acquiring Japanese citizenship.
Weak basis for party platform pledges
The backdrop to this intensified political rhetoric is Japan's growing foreign resident population, which reached about 3.77 million at the end of last year -- a record high accounting for 3% of the total population. Political parties argue this has resulted in increased crime and friction with locals, raising public safety and security concerns.
On social media, statements claiming "foreigners are weakening public security," "foreigners exploit the medical care system during short stays" and "foreigners undeservedly receive welfare benefits" have been widely shared. Comments alleging foreigners receive preferential treatment have similarly proliferated online.
Even more alarming are recent hate speech incidents targeting Kurdish residents in Kawaguchi, Saitama Prefecture, and elsewhere. Without understanding individual cases and context, some netizens accuse Kurds of being "fake refugees" or troublemakers.
Political parties appear to be picking up and, by including countermeasures in their campaign promises, endorsing these claims. In reality, however, these assertions largely do not have a basis in fact.
According to official government statistics, the number of crimes committed by foreigners has remained relatively the same for about the past 15 years. And as of January this year, there were around 75,000 individuals residing illegally in Japan -- less than a quarter of the peak.
As for the National Health Insurance program, some surveys covering particular local municipalities have found lower contribution rates among foreign nationals. Even so, in proportion to overall medical expenses, those incurred by foreigners are extremely small.
And on welfare benefits, foreign recipients currently receive payments based on national government guidelines.
Foreign nationals in Japan remain inadequately protected by law, holding a precarious status. Even foreigners who duly pay taxes are excluded from political participation and voting rights.
Policies of inclusion are essential
With growing anxiety spreading among Japan's foreign-born communities, civil society groups assisting foreign nationals recently issued a joint emergency statement declaring: "Inciting xenophobic views fuels conflict with people of different nationalities and ethnicities, risking the breakdown of an inclusive society."
A representative of one of the groups behind the statement noted, "With wages stagnating despite higher prices, many people are struggling to make ends meet. Against this backdrop, foreigners are being used as scapegoats."
Such scapegoating rooted in discontent parallels the dynamics seen in European countries, and the United States under the administration of Donald Trump.
Facing continued population decline and aging demographics, Japan has expanded its intake of foreign workers to offset labor shortages. As a result, foreign nationals have already become essential contributors to Japanese society. Japan must now prioritize policies that help people with diverse values live as fellow members of society.
To fully participate in Japanese society, it's essential for foreign nationals to acquire the Japanese language, yet existing government support programs remain insufficient. Furthermore, working conditions that benefit everyone must be established.
It's also important to create opportunities for meaningful interaction between Japanese and non-Japanese residents to help foreign nationals better understand social norms and expectations.
In the 1990s, when Japan welcomed large numbers of Japanese descendants from Brazil and other countries, similar friction emerged in various communities. Yet in some areas, such as the Shizuoka Prefecture city of Hamamatsu and the Gunma Prefecture town of Oizumi, residents and local governments overcame initial barriers through sustained, creative efforts and eventually formed communities where people now support each other as neighbors.
Human rights must be universally respected regardless of nationality. Correcting misinformation and fake stories about foreign nationals is an essential responsibility of politicians and government leaders, contributing toward eliminating prejudice and discrimination within society.