■Introduction: Japan’s Reality of Multicultural Coexistence

Japanese society stands at a critical juncture. Against the backdrop of a declining birthrate and aging population resulting in labor shortages, the number of foreign residents in Japan continues to grow year by year. As of the end of 2025, approximately 3.41 million foreign nationals resided in Japan, marking an all-time high.

In this context, a survey on coexistence conducted by Gunma Prefecture targeting both foreign and Japanese residents offers crucial insights for realizing a multicultural society. What emerged from this survey is a significant gap in perceptions between foreign and Japanese residents.

This article provides a detailed analysis of the survey results and examines the perspectives and concrete approaches necessary to achieve a truly multicultural society.

■Survey Overview: Large-Scale Questionnaire Conducted Across 14 Municipalities

In February 2026, Gunma Prefecture conducted a survey on multicultural coexistence among residents of 14 municipalities with significant foreign populations, including Maebashi, Takasaki, Ota, and Tatebayashi.

The survey targeted 1,600 randomly selected foreign residents and 1,000 Japanese residents. Responses were received from 461 foreign residents and 319 Japanese residents, with comparisons made to a previous survey conducted in fiscal year 2020.

The survey’s most distinctive feature is that it targeted both foreign and Japanese residents. By capturing bidirectional perceptions rather than a one-sided view, it enables more realistic analysis.

■Detailed Survey Results: The Revealed Perception Gap

【Foreign Residents’ Perspectives】

According to the survey results, 30.2% of foreign residents answered that they “have close relationships” with Japanese people, representing an increase of 12.4 percentage points from the previous survey (fiscal year 2020). This positive figure indicates that foreign residents are gradually integrating into their local communities.

Even more noteworthy is the proportion of foreign residents who answered that they “want to interact” with Japanese people. Combining those who want “a lot of interaction” and “some interaction,” the figure reached 94.8%, an increase of 4.1 percentage points from the previous survey.

This number is clear: the vast majority of foreign residents strongly desire interaction with Japanese people and wish to be accepted as members of the local community.

【Japanese Residents’ Perspectives】

In contrast, the perceptions of Japanese residents paint a different picture.

The percentage of Japanese residents who answered that they “prefer not to engage much” or “have no interest” in local foreign residents was 46.7%, an increase of 11.5 percentage points from the previous survey. Contrary to the growing desire for interaction among foreign residents, Japanese residents’ passive stance has strengthened.

Even more concerning is the growing anxiety about the increase in foreign residents. The percentage of Japanese residents who answered that an increase in foreign residents would “disrupt public order and morals” reached 72.4%, a sharp increase of 35.4 percentage points from the previous survey.

Additionally, 94.0% of Japanese residents answered that they expect foreign residents to “follow local rules,” an increase of 5.3 percentage points from the previous survey.

【What the Perception Gap Reveals】

These figures paint a picture of a serious perception gap between foreign and Japanese residents:

  • Foreign residents: 94.8% desire interaction
  • Japanese residents: 46.7% prefer to avoid contact, 72.4% concerned about deteriorating public safety

While foreign residents wish to participate in local society, Japanese residents harbor anxieties and attempt to maintain distance. This one-way communication situation represents the greatest barrier to multicultural coexistence.

■Background of the Perception Gap: Why Do Japanese Feel Anxious?

At a press conference, the governor analyzed the change in Japanese residents’ perceptions, stating that “anxieties and feelings of unfairness arising from illegal activities by some foreign nationals have had an impact.”

This analysis contains important implications. Specifically, Japanese residents’ anxieties may not necessarily be directed at foreign residents as a whole, but rather that “some” actions or cases may be shaping the overall image.

【Specific Factors of Anxiety】

  1. Lack of Awareness of Local Rules
    Differences in culture and customs regarding daily life matters such as garbage disposal rules, noise considerations, and use of shared spaces can become sources of conflict.
  2. Communication Barriers Due to Language
    When language doesn’t connect, misunderstandings and miscommunications become more likely.
  3. Information Asymmetry
    When information about foreign residents comes from news reports or rumors rather than direct interaction, negative images tend to form more easily.
  4. Lack of Understanding of Cultural Backgrounds
    Differences in customs and values may be perceived as “rule violations.”

Common to all these factors is anxiety born from “not knowing” or “not understanding.” Because actual interaction experiences are limited, vague anxieties become amplified.

■Concrete Approaches Toward Realizing Multicultural Coexistence

The governor stated that “an approach that advances both multicultural coexistence and maintenance of order as two wheels is necessary.” This perspective is extremely important. Respect for diversity and maintenance of social order are not mutually exclusive.

【What Government and Local Authorities Should Do】

  1. Enhancement of Multilingual Information Provision
    Providing information about local rules and administrative services in simple Japanese and multiple languages is fundamental.
  2. Implementation of Life Orientation Programs
    Offering opportunities for foreign residents new to the area to learn about Japanese lifestyle customs, rules, and regional characteristics.
  3. Establishment and Promotion of Consultation Services
    Setting up multilingual consultation desks where people can turn when in trouble, and widely promoting their existence.
  4. Planning and Supporting Exchange Events
    Continuously providing opportunities for natural interaction between foreign and Japanese residents.

【What Local Communities Can Do】

  1. Building Face-to-Face Relationships
    Valuing opportunities for daily interaction such as neighborhood association activities, local festivals, and cleaning activities.
  2. Creating Learning Opportunities for Mutual Understanding
    Holding workshops and study sessions where people can learn about each other’s cultures and customs.
  3. Utilizing “Plain Japanese”
    Avoiding difficult words and communicating in easy-to-understand Japanese.
  4. Developing Key Persons
    Cultivating bridge-builders who connect foreign and Japanese communities.

【What Individuals Can Do】

  1. Avoiding Preconceptions
    Treating people as individuals rather than making generalizations based on “because they’re foreign.”
  2. Active Communication
    Valuing small interactions starting with greetings and smiles, even when language isn’t perfect.
  3. Interest in Cultural Backgrounds
    Having an attitude of interest in and attempting to understand the cultures and customs of others’ countries.
  4. Reaching Out to Those in Need
    Actively speaking to those who appear lost or in difficulty.

■Multicultural Coexistence from Legal and Institutional Perspectives

Promoting multicultural coexistence is not merely an aspirational goal but holds significant legal importance.

With the 2018 amendment to the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act, acceptance of foreign workers expanded. Simultaneously, the “Comprehensive Measures for Acceptance and Coexistence of Foreign Nationals” was decided by the Cabinet, establishing a government-wide policy to work toward realizing a society of coexistence with foreign nationals.

At the local government level as well, development of multicultural coexistence promotion plans and guidelines is progressing. Gunma Prefecture plans to reflect the results of this survey in the framework of its “Prefectural Basic Plan for Promoting Multicultural Coexistence and Co-creation” for fiscal years 2027-2031.

【Important Legal Perspectives】

  1. Prohibition of Discrimination
    Unfair discrimination based on nationality or ethnicity is not permitted.
  2. Guarantee of Fundamental Human Rights
    Foreign residents are also subjects of the fundamental human rights guaranteed by the Japanese Constitution.
  3. Right to Education
    Guaranteeing educational opportunities for children with foreign roots is an important issue.
  4. Rights as Workers
    Foreign workers are also protected by labor-related laws including the Labor Standards Act.

■The Role Companies and Organizations Should Play

In promoting multicultural coexistence, the role of companies and organizations is also important.

Companies employing foreign workers have a responsibility not merely to accept them as labor but to support their settlement as members of the local community.

【Examples of Corporate Initiatives】

  1. Support for Japanese Language Education
    Supporting acquisition not only of Japanese necessary for work but also for daily life.
  2. Life Support
    Supporting establishment of living foundations including securing housing, assistance with administrative procedures, and provision of local information.
  3. Cultural Consideration
    Establishing workplace environments that respect diverse cultural backgrounds, including religious considerations and understanding of holidays.
  4. Career Development Support
    Providing long-term career development opportunities to promote retention and growth.

■Future Outlook: From “Coexistence” to “Co-creation”

The term “coexistence and co-creation” in Gunma Prefecture’s plan name represents an important keyword indicating future direction.

While “coexistence” means “living together,” “co-creation” means “creating new value together.” Not merely accepting diversity, but using diversity as a strength to build a new local society—this is the next stage.

【Toward a Co-creative Society】

  1. Making Diversity a Source of Innovation
    When people with different cultures and perspectives gather, new ideas and services emerge.
  2. Cultivating Global Human Resources
    Through interaction with foreign residents, global awareness develops among Japanese people, especially younger generations.
  3. Revitalizing Local Economies
    Foreign residents contribute to local economies as consumers, entrepreneurs, and workers.
  4. Building Sustainable Local Communities
    In a declining population society, foreign residents are important contributors supporting communities.

■Conclusion: Starting with What Each Person Can Do

The perception gap revealed by the Gunma Prefecture survey is not a problem unique to Gunma Prefecture. It is a common challenge faced by many regions nationwide.

What’s important is not to give up on this gap as an “insurmountable conflict,” but to view it as a “gap that can be bridged through dialogue and understanding.”

The fact that 94.8% of foreign residents desire interaction is a great source of hope. When the other party has opened their heart is the greatest opportunity for relationship building.

Much anxiety is born from “not knowing.” Through knowing, anxiety transforms into understanding, and understanding transforms into trust. And trust develops into co-creative relationships that generate new value.

“Multicultural coexistence” is nothing special. Respecting the person living next door as an individual, communicating, and building local society together—the accumulation of these everyday actions forms the foundation of a multicultural society.

There are things you can do starting today. Greeting your foreign neighbor, participating in local events, taking interest in others’ cultures—small steps are the beginning of great change.

When each of us views diversity not as a “risk” but as an “opportunity,” and advances from “coexistence” to “co-creation,” we can realize a richer and more vibrant local society.

Reference article: https://news.yahoo.co.jp/articles/128fd6a713beed10a866b389c239fc71a34f00ea

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