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Policy talks on foreigners start; land deals, visas high on agenda

Release Date
2025-11-28
Media
The Asahi Shimbun
Summary
Japan’s government has begun deliberations on tightening immigration and foreign land ownership policies under Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, citing the need to ease public anxiety amid social and political tensions. A government-appointed expert panel held its first meeting on Nov. 27 and aims to finalize policy recommendations by January 2026.

A central focus of the proposed immigration policy is limiting the number of foreign nationals allowed to enter Japan. The ruling coalition plans to introduce caps on certain work-related residence statuses. While caps already exist for the “Specified Skilled Worker” visa and the upcoming “Employment for Skill Development” status (which will replace the technical intern system in 2027), the government is now considering extending similar limits to the “Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services” visa. This status, widely used by foreign professionals, has reportedly been misused by some employers to assign simple labor, prompting discussions on both numerical limits and stricter enforcement.

These debates follow earlier policy reviews that raised concerns about immigration-related social friction seen in other G7 countries. In Japan, local tensions—such as conflicts involving Kurdish communities in Saitama Prefecture—and the rise of anti-foreigner rhetoric, including gains by the “Japan First” Sanseito party, have increased political pressure for tighter controls.

In parallel, the Takaichi administration is addressing public concerns over foreign acquisition of land and real estate, which some fear could pose national security risks or contribute to rising property prices. The government is exploring ways to increase transparency, such as standardizing nationality disclosure in property registrations and creating a centralized database of foreign land ownership by fiscal 2027. However, imposing direct restrictions remains difficult due to Japan’s obligations under World Trade Organization agreements that prohibit discrimination against foreign nationals.

Overall, the government is pursuing a more restrictive and security-conscious approach to immigration and foreign land ownership, balancing public concern, economic needs, international commitments, and the risk of fueling xenophobia.
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Immigration Policy

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