
The Mainichi News Quiz Answer for July 25
A) Expanding welfare benefits for all residents, including foreigners
B) Ending welfare benefits for foreign residents
C) Increasing subsidies for single-parent households
D) Providing universal basic income to all citizens
Correct Answer: B) Ending welfare benefits for foreign residents
During its campaign for the July 20 House of Councillors election, the right-wing populist Sanseito party advocated ending welfare benefits for foreign residents in Japan. This stance was part of the party's broader "Japanese First" platform, which also included calls for restrictions on land purchases by foreigners and reflected a shift toward more exclusionary policies.

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The Mainichi
2 hours ago
- The Mainichi
Sanseito populist party requires press conference preregistration
TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Japan's opposition Sanseito party has informed news organizations that preregistration is required for attendance at regular press conferences by its leader, fueling concern that it is undermining freedom of the press and the public's right to know. The right-wing party headed by Sohei Kamiya, which has gained popularity under its "Japanese First" banner, sent an email to media outlets on Wednesday with a form asking for company affiliation, name, phone number and other personal details. The form includes a warning that individuals who have previously "disrupted" Sanseito press events or "caused disturbances" may be denied access. Admission is only possible after checking a box to indicate agreement with the party's stated terms and conditions. Freelance reporters are required to upload an image of a government-issued photo identification document, such as a driver's license or passport, to complete registration. In July, Sanseito denied entry to a reporter from the Kanagawa Shimbun, citing past disruptive behavior. The Yokohama-based newspaper later issued a statement saying the claim was factually inaccurate and unacceptable. Launched in 2020, Sanseito gained traction among conservatives with nationalistic, anti-globalist and anti-establishment views in the July 20 House of Councillors election. Kamiya has slammed globalization as the "reason behind Japan's poverty," saying foreigners are buying up land and company stocks, and the number of overseas workers has grown excessively.


Japan Today
7 hours ago
- Japan Today
Japanese population down by record 900,000; 16th straight year of decline
The population of Japanese nationals in 2024 fell by around 908,000 from a year earlier to 120,653,227, declining for the 16th straight year and the largest drop since the current survey began in 1968, government data showed Wednesday. The latest figures come as policymakers continue to struggle to reverse falling birthrates and regional depopulation, and while anxiety over record foreign resident numbers spurs some voters to turn to opposition parties touting slogans such as "Japanese First." As of Jan. 1, 2025, the population including foreign residents was 124,330,690, a decrease of about 554,000, a demographics survey by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications showed. While Japanese numbers fell, foreign resident totals continue to rise, reaching a record 3,677,463 people since their inclusion from the 2013 survey. Their number was up 354,089, or 10.65 percent. By prefecture, northernmost main island Hokkaido saw the largest rise in foreign residents at 19.57 percent. Some 85.77 percent of foreign residents are of working age, with many filling labor shortages left by the declining native population. But amid rising living costs and concerns that some foreign residents abuse the system, parties pledging to limit their intake such as the Sanseito party gained greater support in July's House of Councillors election. Among Japanese people, births in 2024 were a record low 687,689 and eclipsed by the 1.59 million deaths logged, another record high. Akita and Aomori prefectures in northeastern Japan saw the greatest native population decreases at 1.91 percent and 1.72 percent, respectively, followed by western Japan's Kochi Prefecture at 1.71 percent. The total national decline was 0.75 percent. Tokyo was the only area to see a rise in the native Japanese population, up 0.13 percent due to a high influx of people to the capital. When including foreign residents, the overall population rose only in Tokyo and neighboring Chiba Prefecture. By age, people aged 65 and over accounted for 29.58 percent of the Japanese population, while those aged from 15 to 64 made up about 59.04 percent, both minor increases from the previous year. © KYODO


Nikkei Asia
17 hours ago
- Nikkei Asia
Japanese population down record 900,000, 16th straight year of decline
TOKYO (Kyodo) -- The population of Japanese nationals in 2024 fell by around 908,000 from a year earlier to 120,653,227, declining for the 16th straight year and the largest drop since the current survey began in 1968, government data showed Wednesday. The latest figures come as policymakers continue to struggle to reverse falling birthrates and regional depopulation, and while anxiety over record foreign resident numbers spurs some voters to turn to opposition parties touting slogans such as "Japanese First." As of Jan. 1, the population including foreign residents was 124,330,690, a decrease of about 554,000, a demographics survey by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications showed. While Japanese numbers fell, foreign resident totals continue to rise, reaching a record 3,677,463 people since their inclusion from the 2013 survey. Their number was up 354,089, or 10.65%. By prefecture, Hokkaido saw the largest rise in foreign residents at 19.57%. Some 85.77% of foreign residents are of working age, with many filling labor shortages left by the declining native population. But amid rising living costs and concerns that some foreign residents abuse the system, political parties pledging to limit their intake, such as Sanseito, gained increased support in July's upper house election. Among Japanese nationals, births in 2024 were a record low 687,689, while 1.59 million deaths were logged, a record high. Akita and Aomori prefectures in northeastern Japan saw the greatest native population decreases at 1.91% and 1.72%, respectively, followed by western Japan's Kochi prefecture at 1.71%. The total national decline was 0.75%. Tokyo was the only area to see a rise in native Japanese population, up 0.13% due to a high influx of people to the capital. When including foreign residents, the overall population rose only in Tokyo and neighboring Chiba prefecture. By age, people aged 65 and over accounted for 29.58% of the Japanese population, while those aged from 15 to 64 made up about 59.04%, both minor increases from the previous year.