Latest news with #YoshimasaHayashi
Newsweek
a day ago
- 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.
Japan Forward
3 days ago
- Business
- Japan Forward
What to Do About Disruptive Foreigners? It's Time to Talk
Issues involving foreigners have become a point of contention in the Upper House election. This is the first time in memory that this issue has been so visible in a national election. The number of foreign residents in Japan as of the end of 2024 reached a record high of approximately 3.76 million. Separately, more than 36 million foreign tourists visited Japan that same year. Unlike in the past, Japanese find themselves regularly interacting with foreigners. Certainly, the majority of foreign residents abide by Japanese laws and customs and conduct themselves appropriately. However, violation of Japanese rules and customs by some foreigners engaging in criminal activity and nuisance behavior has become more noticeable. Those offenses disrupt daily life in a country where public safety has long been considered a treasure. We must take the necessary steps to preserve the benefits that sense of safety has bestowed on society. Land values have surged in the area around Kaminarimon Street in Asakusa, Tokyo. June 27. (©Sankei by Rei Yamamoto) There are also cases where legal activities undertaken by foreigners negatively impacted the daily lives of Japanese citizens. For example, the apartment prices, especially in Metropolitan Tokyo, are reaching levels beyond those experienced at the height of the Bubble Economy. They are increasingly out of reach of Japanese buyers. One factor cited for the trend is Chinese individuals and capital investors acquiring Japanese real estate. Other observers have pointed out that some Chinese travel to Japan to take advantage of the high quality medical care system. Under the Japanese system, even for foreigners, patients pay significantly reduced out-of-pocket medical expenses. Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi recently addressed the issue in a press conference. "Conditions have arisen which create feelings of anxiety and unfairness among the Japanese people," he acknowledged. Then, on July 15, the Prime Minister's Secretariat launched a new office to promote "orderly coexistence" between Japanese nationals and foreigners in Japan. Japan is the homeland of the Japanese people. Based on that premise, the government and society should strive to make it possible for Japanese and foreigners to live together peacefully. Respect for established law and customs should go without saying. But if a law is found wanting, there should also be no hesitation to change it. Vietnamese women working as caregiver candidates at a special nursing home for the elderly in Yokohama. (©Sankei by Mie Oh) Currently, the international environment is tense and difficult, making security measures also imperative. Certainly, opaque acquisition or foreign capital ownership should not be allowed for land surrounding sensitive facilities. That includes essential infrastructure sites and Self-Defense Force bases. There are also two points to keep in mind. First, there is no reason for hatred or fear of foreigners. Such misplaced emotions should absolutely be avoided. Not all foreigners are disrespectful and this is not the late Edo period with its violent xenophobia and "expel the barbarians" anti-foreigner movement. Second, we must embrace freedom of speech and allow democracy to work. That means allowing ー not stifling ー healthy debate when issues related to foreigners are raised. It also means avoiding labels such as "xenophobic" or "hateful," even in the face of glaring problems. Friction has been growing between local Japanese citizens and Kurds residing in Kawaguchi City, Saitama Prefecture. One lesson to be learned from this festering problem is that Japan must not follow in the footsteps of Western countries, where social unrest has been fueled by large influxes of refugees and immigrants. The Japanese people deserve an open discussion of appropriate measures to deal with problems involving foreigners. Then, action to improve the situation must proceed calmly and steadily. Author: Editorial Board, The Sankei Shimbun
Yomiuri Shimbun
6 days ago
- Politics
- Yomiuri Shimbun
Govt Forms New ‘Command Center' for Foreigner Policy; Office Will Handle Issues Including Illegal Stays, Crime Involving Foreign Nationals
The government on Tuesday established an administrative office to serve as a command center for policies concerning foreign nationals, aimed at strengthening measures to deal with crimes and other issues involving them. The 'office for promoting a society of orderly coexistence with foreign nationals,' which was established as part the Cabinet Secretariat, is staffed by about 80 officials from the Justice Ministry, the Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry, the National Police Agency and other relevant organizations. The government aims to develop strong, unified responses to illegal stays, crime and other issues involving foreign nationals, in hopes of preventing social instability resulting from the rapid increase in foreign workers and tourists. During Tuesday's inauguration ceremony for the new office, Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba emphasized the importance to the nation's economic growth of bringing in energy from overseas. However, he also noted: 'Some situations have emerged that cause Japanese people to feel a sense of unfairness and unease. The issues we face include dealing strictly with those who do not follow the rules and revising systems and policies that do not adequately correspond to the current situation surrounding foreigners.' Specifically, he instructed the office to strictly enforce immigration controls, prevent the nonpayment of social insurance premiums and address the need for regulations on land transactions. He also called for it to get a clear picture of the situation regarding these issues and improve information sharing between the central and municipal governments. At a press conference, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi said that the office is planning to implement stricter measures in two specific areas: the system that allows drivers' licenses obtained overseas to be converted into Japanese licenses, and the business manager visa, a residence status for foreign entrepreneurs starting businesses in Japan. The strengthening of measures relating to foreign nationals is likely a response to the issue becoming a key point in the House of Councillors election, the voting for which concludes this Sunday, observers said.
Japan Times
08-07-2025
- Politics
- Japan Times
Japan to set up 'control tower' for crimes by foreign residents
Japan will set up an organization at the Cabinet Secretariat next week that will serve as the "control tower" to coordinate government efforts to deal with crimes by foreign residents, Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said Tuesday. "We will promote various policies comprehensively with the control tower to realize an orderly and inclusive society with foreign residents," Ishiba said, asking related ministers to consider concrete measures. Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi said at a news conference later in the day that Japan needs to utilize foreign workers for its economic growth. Still, he said that "there are situations where people feel a sense of unease over the inappropriate use of Japanese systems by some foreign residents or are worried about crimes they commit."
Japan Today
08-07-2025
- Politics
- Japan Today
Japan to set up team to address issues over foreign residents
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba pledged Tuesday to set up a new command center within the Cabinet Secretariat early next week to address challenges related to foreign residents in Japan, the top government spokesman said. The issue has become one of the major topics during official campaigning for the July 20 House of Councillors election, with some minor parties arguing that regulations on foreigners living in Japan should be tightened to "protect the rights of Japanese people." "Realizing an orderly society inclusive of foreign residents is one of the most important policy matters the government should tackle," Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi said at a regular press conference, explaining Ishiba's plan. The move appears aimed at gaining public support for the government's response to controversies related to foreign residents, including allegations of misuse of the national welfare system, ahead of the key upper house election. The issues have prompted some minor conservative opposition parties to adopt xenophobic stances toward foreign residents, making remarks that could be considered hate speech and claiming that Japan's culture and the economy must be protected. Asked about stump speeches that could lead to discrimination against foreigners, Justice Minister Keisuke Suzuki said an "orderly coexistence between Japanese and foreign nationals is essential," adding, "There should be no xenophobia." "We have taken necessary measures to appropriately deal with foreign nationals who fail to comply with the rules, including possible deportation" under the legislation, Suzuki said at a regular press conference. The rules that foreign residents in Japan must follow include complying with Japanese laws and regulations, as well as engaging only in activities permitted under their residence status, the government said. On Saturday, Naoki Hyakuta, a former novelist and leader of the Conservative Party of Japan, said that foreign workers "disrespect Japanese culture, ignore the rules, assault Japanese people, and steal their belongings." During the upper house election campaign, another minor opposition group, the Sanseito party, has drawn attention among conservatives with nationalist and anti-establishment views under its "Japanese First" banner. The party's leader, Sohei Kamiya, has asserted that globalization is the "reason behind Japan's poverty," saying foreigners are buying up land and company stocks and that the number of workers from abroad has grown excessively amid a labor shortage. The Conservative Party of Japan, launched in 2023, and Sanseito, established in 2020, each won three seats in last year's House of Representatives election. © KYODO
