Even though Japan has a rapidly ageing population and is suffering labour shortages in many sectors, opposition to immigration is growing, prompting a push by Takaichi for tighter regulations on foreign nationals.
“As the number of foreign residents in Japan increases, the government is facing the fact that some citizens feel anxiety and a sense of unfairness,” Takaichi said in an extended post on X on Sunday, adding that she was pushing for “orderly coexistence” with foreign nationals.
Programmes to attract international workers have fuelled public worry.
Anti-immigration sentiment has spread across social media and false claims have circulated widely, including that a significant portion of welfare payments in Japan go to foreigners and that they are making Japanese streets less safe.
Experts and many business leaders warn, however, that Japan must welcome more foreign workers to sustain itself.
Japan needs to open its doors to more foreigners, the Nikkei business daily said in a recent editorial.
“Japan should stop viewing foreigners merely as a temporary labour force and instead promote their long-term settlement by expanding Japanese-language education and improving their treatment,” it said.
