Foreign resident policy in Japan is now under review, as the country sees a steady rise in its non-citizen population. The Immigration Services Agency has launched a new project team to evaluate long-term strategies. This move comes as the foreign population approaches 3% and may exceed 10% in the coming decades.
Justice Minister Keisuke Suzuki spoke about the issue after a recent Cabinet meeting. He emphasized that migration has sparked division in many nations. Therefore, Japan must begin preparing for similar challenges before they emerge. He noted that proactive planning can help avoid political and social instability.
Since February, the justice ministry has been consulting privately with policy experts. These discussions have helped identify major concerns about foreign resident integration. On August 29, the immigration agency released an interim report summarizing early findings. According to this report, Japan’s foreign population could eventually match the OECD average. That average currently stands at over 10%. Originally projected to happen by 2070, this shift may now occur sooner. Falling birth rates and rising foreign entries are accelerating the change.
Rather than relying on short-term solutions, the report urges a broader national review. Officials argue that policy needs to evolve along with demographic trends. Otherwise, the country may struggle to manage its changing population effectively. The foreign resident policy review will span seven key areas. These include economic growth, industrial development, and labor market strategies. It will also consider tax systems, social security, and community relations. Lastly, officials will assess public safety and border management.
About 30 staff members have joined the review team, which is led by the deputy head of the agency. This group will work with other ministries as needed to ensure thorough analysis. Although no final decisions have been made, discussions about setting a cap on foreign residents have begun. Policymakers are still weighing the potential impact on society and the economy. In the meantime, the government continues to monitor population trends closely. Future steps will depend on expert feedback and public discourse. As Japan looks ahead, the foreign resident policy debate is expected to become a central issue.
