Welcome No More: Why Japan Is Unhappy With Foreigners Living, Buying Property Or Staying?
As Japan prepares to head to the polls for its upper house election, the issue of foreigners-both tourists and residents- has become a political flashpoint as Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba's government announced a new task force aimed at managing foreign nationals, citing concerns over crime, misuse of public services and land ownership.
The move comes amid growing public frustration, rising nationalist rhetoric from fringe parties and mounting political pressure on the ruling coalition. So what exactly is this task force and why has Japan- a country that desperately needs foreign labor and tourism- started to close its doors to foreigners?
What Is The New Task Force?
The newly formed Office for the Promotion of a Society of Harmonious Coexistence with Foreign Nationals will serve as a central 'command center"- coordinating government policy on issues ranging from immigration to land acquisitions by foreigners and unpaid social insurance. PM Shigeru Ishiba said the office was created in response to 'crimes or nuisance behaviors committed by some foreign nationals", asserting that the government would take 'strict action" against those who do not follow the rules. Upcoming policy revisions could include visa bans for tourists and foreign residents with unpaid medical bills as well.
Japan's foreign population has grown in recent years- from 2.2 million to 3.8 million in a decade- but still makes up just 3% of the population. The real shift has come from tourism as in the first half of 2025 alone, Japan welcomed a record 21.5 million tourists, with popular spots like Kyoto, Mount Fuji and Tokyo's Shibuya district becoming overcrowded. While tourism has boosted the economy, it has also disrupted daily life as residential neighborhoods have been overwhelmed by crowds, leading to complaints over noise, poor etiquette and general congestion. Moreover, property prices in scenic and desirable areas have risen, prompting concern about foreign investors outpricing locals.
Are These Fears Supported By Evidence?
Mostly, no. Sociologists and public safety data offer a very different picture as according to Japan's Ministry of Justice, foreigners accounted for just 5.3% of arrests in 2023- roughly proportional to their share of the population when tourists are included. In fact, crime in Japan has steadily declined over the past two decades owing to which experts say the fear stems more from perception than fact.
So Why Is Japan Against Tourists Now?
It may all be just good politics as Japan enters the final stretch of campaigning during which nationalist parties like Sanseito have gained traction by pushing 'Japanese first" messaging. The party is projected to win 10 to 15 seats- enough to dent the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) which already lost its lower house majority last year.
Does Japan Need Foreigners?
Yes and the country's economic future may hinge on it because Japan's birth rate hit a record low of 1.15 in 2024 and the country has one of the world's fastest-aging populations which implies a sharp decline in the country's workforce in the coming decades. Foreign labor and tourism are increasingly essential to fill the gaps. Currently, more than 2.3 million foreign workers are employed in Japan, many under new visa programs targeting sectors like healthcare, construction, hospitality and aviation.
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