Japan Immigration News

Cultural anxiety and Japan's immigration pains

Release Date: 2025-06-12
Media: Japan Times
Summary: Voice actress Megumi Hayashibara sparked controversy in Japan after criticizing rule-breaking foreigners and expressing concern that Japanese culture might be eroded by the growing foreign population. Her blog post, which included a now-deleted comparison to invasive species, reflects rising anxieties as Japan experiences a sharp increase in immigration.

Though Japan has been selective with immigrants and maintains strong border controls, frustrations are growing over perceived system abuses, such as unpaid medical bills and lax driver’s license rules. The government is only beginning to respond to these concerns, even as Japan’s labor shortage makes immigration increasingly necessary.

Public frustration is amplified online by influencers promoting anti-immigrant views, often using Western narratives that don’t fully apply to Japan. Still, a majority of Japanese citizens want foreign residents to follow local rules and customs.

The article argues that while alarmist rhetoric is harmful, ignoring genuine concerns could fuel populism. A balanced approach that enforces fairness and integration is essential as Japan navigates the challenges of becoming a more multicultural society.
Tags: Immigration Policy

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2025-06-14

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Immigration Policy

2025-06-12

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2025-06-06

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2025-06-05

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2025-05-28

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Immigration Policy

2025-04-25

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2025-01-28

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Immigration Policy

2024-12-29

Breaking Down Japan's Immigration System From a Former Insider's Perspective(JAPAN Forward)

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2024-12-15

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2024-11-23

Japan Job Market Points to Shift on Immigration(Newsweek)

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2024-11-14

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2024-11-08

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Immigration Policy

2024-10-30

Improved Immigration: Japan’s Solution to Its Population Crisis(Harvard International Review)

Immigration Policy

2024-09-30

FY2024 International FPCJ Webinar: Population Decline and Immigration Policy: How Can Japan Become a Country To Be Chosen?(Foreign Press Center Japan)

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2024-09-15

For investors, intellectuals leaving China, it's Japan -- not US -- that's the bigger draw(The Mainichi)

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2024-07-28

Less than half of foreign workers want to remain in Japan's countryside(NIKKEI Asia)

Immigration Policy

2024-07-04

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2024-06-21

Japan to launch online travel authorization system for visitors(Japan Times)

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2024-06-15

On topic: Japan's challenges in boosting immigration(NIKKEI Asia)

Immigration Policy

2024-06-14

Japan's new foreign worker program sets off scramble for talent(NIKKEI Asia)

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2024-06-07

Japan to enroll all foreign residents in national pension system(NIKKEI Asia)

Immigration Policy

2024-05-27

Yoroku: Can Japan keep saying immigration rules trump foreigners' constitutional rights?(The Mainichi)

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2024-05-15

No, Japan’s actually not a xenophobic country(Asia Times)

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2024-05-14

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Immigration Policy,Population

2024-05-07

Japan defends its immigration policy, amid Joe Biden's accusations of xenophobia(Le Monde)

Immigration Policy

2024-05-07

Biden's labeling of Japan as xenophobic 'regrettable,' gov't says( KYODO NEWS)

Immigration Policy

2024-05-07

Japan tells U.S. that Biden’s ‘xenophobia’ comment is regrettable(The Asahi Shimbun)

Immigration Policy

2024-05-03

Joe Biden calls US allies India and Japan 'xenophobic'(BBC)

Immigration Policy

2024-05-02

Biden Calls Japan and India ‘Xenophobic’ in Defending U.S. Immigration(The New York Times)

Immigration Policy

2024-05-02

Biden calls US ally Japan ‘xenophobic’ along with India, Russia and China(CNN)

Immigration Policy

2024-04-11

Japan targets India and Southeast Asia to recruit tech workers(Nikkei Asia)

Immigration Policy

2024-04-08

Indian business leader hopes more young Indians work in Japan(NIKKEI Asia)

Immigration Policy

2024-03-30

News in Easy English: Japan ready to accept many more foreign workers(The Mainichi)

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2024-03-19

Japan to help employers spot labor issues faced by foreign workers(NIKKEI Asia)

Immigration Policy,Training employment

2024-03-17

Cabinet OKs new foreign trainee program to promote longer stays(Japan Today)

Immigration Policy

2024-03-16

Japan battles Taiwan and South Korea for foreign workers(NIKKEI Asia)

Immigration Policy

2024-03-06

Opinion: Japan must reform its refugee and immigration system to avoid further tragedies(The Mainichi)

Immigration Policy

2024-02-07

Japan bets on tech, immigration as labor crisis worsens(DW)

Immigration Policy,Specified Skilled Worker

2024-02-07

Record 2 million foreign workers are changing the face of Japan(Japan Times)

Immigration Policy

2024-01-16

Immigration consultations to be held in Kanazawa on Thursday(NHK)

Immigration Policy

2024-01-09

Japan’s Immigration Agency Eases Entertainment Visa Rules; Application Process Streamlined, Maximum Stay Increased(The Japan News)

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2024-01-07

Is Japan finally embracing immigration?(The Spectator)

Immigration Policy

2024-01-04

2023 Rewind: Is Japan ready to accept foreigners as part of its society?(The Mainichi)

Immigration Policy

2023-12-26

Japan could relax immigration policy as Abe faction wanes in LDP(NIKKEI Asia)

Immigration Policy

2023-10-14

Number of foreign residents in Japan rises to record 3.2 million(KYODO NEWS)

Immigration Policy