Latest news with #OfficeforthePromotionofaSocietyofHarmoniousCoexistencewithForeignNationals
Newsweek
20-07-2025
- Politics
- Newsweek
Japan Launches Task Force To Deal With Foreign Nationals
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Japan's government has launched a task force to deal with concerns about an uptick in foreign nationals living there. Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi announced the "Office for the Promotion of a Society of Harmonious Coexistence with Foreign Nationals" on July 15. The move comes as the issue of a record number of foreign nationals living there has become an election topic. Why it Matters The task force's establishment marked the most visible government response to growing public concerns as the number of foreign residents reached about 3.8 million as of the end of 2024, according to the Japanese data site Nippon. This is the third consecutive record high, increasing by 10.5 percent year-on-year. But foreign nationals still only make up just 3 percent of Japan's total population of 120 million. What To Know Hayashi explained the reason for the task force in a press meeting on July 15, saying there are "situations in which the people feel anxious and unfair due to crimes and nuisances committed by some foreigners and inappropriate use of various systems." "Realizing an orderly coexistence society with foreigners is one of the important policy issues that the government must address," he said. Tasks will include creating a shared data information system for central and local governments to use and reviewing existing immigration rules and practices that do not take into account how much more globalized Japan currently is. Japan has long had strict immigration laws, but the country has slowly eased them as its population has aged and birth rates have declined. The influx of foreigners does seem to be a concern for many Japanese citizens, with public opinion polls showing a rise in support for a small "Japanese First" agenda. A February survey found that 71 percent of foreign nationals in Japan had been questioned by police on the streets in the past five years (5.6-fold higher than Japanese people), Japanese news agency Kyodo News reported. This is despite the fact that the crime rate for foreign nationals is around the same as for Japanese. Some 9,736 foreigners (this includes tourists and foreign residents) were arrested in 2023—5.3 percent of the total number of people arrested that year, according to a white paper by the Ministry of Justice. In 2012, after the U.S. Embassy posted that it has received "reports of foreigners stopped and searched by Japanese police in suspected racial profiling incidents," Japan's National Police Agency sent out an advisory to police forces, saying officers "should not base their decisions solely on how they look, such as appearance and clothing." Naomi Kawahara, the founder of the advocacy group Japan for Black Lives told Kyodo News she thinks the public is responding to an influx of foreigners and a small minority carrying out problematic behavior. File photo of Narita international airport in Narita, near Tokyo, taken Jan. 23, 2020. File photo of Narita international airport in Narita, near Tokyo, taken Jan. 23, 2020. AP What People Are Saying Chief Cabinet Secretary Hayashi said: "In order to ensure Japan's transition to a growth-based economy, it is essential that we incorporate overseas vitality, but we are also facing situations where citizens feel anxious due to crimes and nuisances committed by some foreigners, as well as inappropriate use of various systems. Ensuring the safety and security of our citizens is an essential prerequisite for economic growth, and realizing an orderly society in which we can coexist with foreigners is one of the important policy issues that the government must address. I believe that this is an issue that is of great interest to the public." Prime Minister Ishiba said: "We will set up a secretariat and, with this command center, will comprehensively promote a variety of policies aimed at realizing an orderly society in which we can coexist with foreign nationals." What Happens Next The outcome of Sunday's election may determine the pace and scope of these changes, especially as opposition parties seek to distinguish themselves with their own approaches on foreign resident policy.
News18
18-07-2025
- Politics
- News18
Welcome No More: Why Japan Is Unhappy With Foreigners Living, Buying Property Or Staying?
Why is Japan cracking down on foreigners just as it needs them most? A new task force, rising frustration and an election-year dilemma- explained. 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. view comments Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
