Japan Immigration News

Government shifting away from inclusion of foreigners

Release Date: 2026-01-24
Media: The Asahi Shimbun
Summary: Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s Cabinet approved a new comprehensive policy package on foreigners on January 23 that marks a clear shift from “coexistence” toward “maintaining order.” Minister Kimi Onoda framed the package as building an inclusive society on the foundation of order, aiming to give the public a stronger sense of safety. Unlike previous annual revisions made since the 2018 launch of the Specified Skilled Worker visa—revisions that emphasized integration and included language about ensuring foreigners would not be left isolated and would be accepted as members of society—the latest package rewrites the underlying philosophy. It removes the pledge-like wording and adds language responding to public concerns about rule violations and perceived unfairness stemming from inappropriate use of social systems. Senior officials describe the new balance as roughly 60% order and 40% coexistence, and some sources suggest the timing—compiled the same day the Lower House was dissolved—was intended to make the measures usable as election messaging.

A key area under discussion is whether to tighten how public assistance applies to foreign nationals. While the government’s formal stance is that foreigners are not covered by the Public Assistance Law, a 1954 administrative notice has allowed aid on humanitarian grounds in practice, including for special permanent residents, refugees with long-term status, and permanent residents. However, officials acknowledge a major data gap: the government lacks detailed statistics on recipients by nationality and residence status, and it could take up to a year—possibly requiring sample studies—to identify the scope of any “inappropriate” cases. Within the government, possible review targets mentioned include refugee applicants receiving public assistance alongside other support programs, as well as concerns about permanent residents receiving aid given the expectation that permanent residence should not add to the public burden. Another option raised is tightening permanent-residency screening by increasing income thresholds. In fiscal 2023, about 2.021 million people received public assistance, including roughly 66,000 foreign-headed households (around 3%), and the government plans to use the My Number system from June 2027 to track the data more accurately.
Tags: Immigration Policy

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