'Japanese First' debate dominates Japan's tense election campaign

ANKARA

Policies toward foreigners have emerged as a central issue in tense campaigning ahead of elections for the House of Councilors, Japan's upper house of parliament, on July 20, local media reported Monday.

Minor conservative opposition parties, particularly the nationalist Sanseito party, which advocates stricter controls on foreign residents under its "Japanese First" banner, are gaining momentum amid dwindling support for the long-dominant ruling bloc, Kyodo news agency reported.

The party is ranking second in popularity according to some recent media polls as political parties are making last-ditch efforts to woo voters to dominate the House of Councilors.

The Sanseito party is calling for an end to welfare support for foreigners, a ban on their employment in the public sector, and the establishment of a centralized immigration agency. It also advocates stricter cultural conformity by foreigners in Japan.

Analysts foresee the discussion going beyond short-term electioneering, warning that if xenophobic rhetoric -- often lacking a factual basis -- gains broader acceptance, it could deepen discrimination and social divisions.

Exclusionary sentiments have spread to social media and beyond amid perceptions that Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba's Liberal Democratic Party is expanding efforts to bring more foreigners to Japan.

Incidents involving a limited number of foreign nationals including dangerous driving and suspected misuse of public services appear to be fueling resentment among some Japanese people.

Even major parties including the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) are vying to show stronger control over immigration while balancing calls for coexistence.

Police data, however, shows that cases involving foreign residents had been declining until 2022, with a slight uptick in 2023.

The share of foreign nationals among all reported incidents has held steady at around 2% over the past decade.

As Ishiba moves to establish a new command center within the Cabinet Secretariat to address the issue, the LDP has taken a tougher stance than in past campaigns, vowing in its election pledges to pursue "zero illegal foreigners," while its junior coalition partner Komeito has pledged to improve residence management.

The opposition Democratic Party for the People, which enjoys strong support from younger voters, has pushed for tighter regulations on real estate purchases by foreigners.

The left-leaning main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan has called for legislation to promote a "multicultural coexistence society" in response to socioeconomic changes driven by a growing foreign resident population.

Some 3.77 million foreigners are currently living in the country.