With the July 20 House of Councillors election fast approaching, the treatment of foreigners in Japan has become a major campaign issue. A surge in support for smaller conservative parties has challenged the ruling coalition’s long-standing dominance.
The nationalist Sanseito party has helped push immigration into the spotlight. Promoting a “Japanese First” agenda, Sanseito has recently polled second in several media surveys. Their rise has brought new intensity to debates over foreign residents in the country.
Analysts warn that the rhetoric surrounding this issue could outlive the election. If unsupported claims gain traction, they could fuel discrimination and deepen divisions within Japanese society.
The issue has moved beyond online spaces where exclusionary views once dominated. With Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) expanding foreign labor programs, national attention has sharpened.
Several recent incidents involving foreign residents—such as traffic violations linked to license rule gaps or suspected public service abuse—have sparked public unease. These incidents are now being politicized in the election debate.
Even major political parties are adjusting their stances. The LDP has promised to aim for “zero illegal foreigners,” while coalition partner Komeito supports tighter residency management. These are major shifts from past campaigns.
The opposition Democratic Party for the People has also adopted a more restrictive view, especially regarding real estate ownership by foreigners. They gained traction last year, especially among young voters.
By contrast, the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan backs inclusivity. It has proposed laws to support multicultural coexistence, recognizing Japan’s shifting demographics.
Sanseito remains the most hardline. The party seeks to end welfare for foreigners, bar them from public sector jobs, and create a national immigration agency. They also want stronger cultural conformity from foreign residents.
Party leader Sohei Kamiya blames globalization for Japan’s struggles. He argues that foreigners in Japan are buying land and companies and filling jobs that should go to Japanese citizens.
The Conservative Party of Japan, another nationalist faction, echoes Sanseito’s stance. Its leader, Naoki Hyakuta, accused foreigners of disrespecting local culture and engaging in criminal behavior.
Political analysts suggest that the ruling LDP may need to align with conservatives to retain power. The LDP currently lacks a majority in the more powerful lower house.
Both Sanseito and the Conservative Party of Japan, founded in 2020 and 2023 respectively, gained three seats each in the last lower house election.
Official data tells a different story. Crime rates among foreign residents declined until 2022 and only saw a slight rise in 2023. Over the last decade, foreigners have consistently made up around 2% of all criminal cases.
Economist Takahide Kiuchi stressed that some campaign claims lack factual basis. He emphasized the need for accurate discussion, especially as public sentiment shifts.
Japan’s demographic crisis underscores the economic stakes. In 2024, the Japanese population shrank by nearly 900,000, the sharpest decline on record. This trend poses a serious threat to future economic growth.
Kiuchi noted that while some foreign nationals may cause problems, foreigners in Japan are crucial for the economy. He argued that social harmony and economic revitalization may depend on embracing diversity, not rejecting it.
As of late 2024, a record 3.77 million foreign nationals were living in Japan, according to the Immigration Services Agency.
