Introduction: The Immigration Debate That’s Shaping Japan’s Future

On February 7, 2026, the Nishinippon Shimbun newspaper published an editorial that hit a nerve: “Coexistence with Foreign Residents: Human Rights, Not Order, Should Be the Foundation.”

Right now, immigration policy is front and center in Japan’s House of Representatives election. But here’s the thing—most of the conversation seems focused on tightening restrictions. Meanwhile, voices calling for genuine multiculturalism and human rights protections are getting drowned out.

As an immigration lawyer (gyoseishoshi) who handles visa applications and residency status procedures every single day, I can tell you this editorial asks exactly the right questions.

In this article, we’ll dig into what’s really happening with Japan’s immigration policy, what the real challenges are, and what we need to do to build a society where everyone—Japanese and foreign residents alike—can actually live together. And I’ll share what I see from the frontlines of immigration law.

3.95 Million Foreign Residents: They’re Not “Guests” Anymore—They’re Our Neighbors

The Numbers Tell a Story

As of June 2025, Japan is home to approximately 3.95 million foreign residents. That’s about 3% of the total population. And here’s the kicker: that number has nearly doubled in just the last 20 years. Some projections suggest it could hit 10%—similar to many Western countries—in the not-too-distant future.

Foreign residents aren’t temporary visitors anymore. They’re our neighbors, our coworkers, our friends. They’re part of the fabric of Japanese society.

The Turning Point: 2019 and the Labor Shortage Crisis

The big shift came in 2019. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s administration, facing a serious labor shortage, decided to significantly expand the acceptance of foreign workers.

But here’s where things got weird. The government refused to call this “immigration policy.” Instead, they labeled it “human resource utilization measures.”

That seemingly small semantic choice? It caused big problems down the road.

Why Refusing to Call It “Immigration Policy” Was a Mistake

Passing the Buck to Local Communities

When the government wouldn’t acknowledge this as immigration policy, something unfortunate happened: the national government dodged its responsibilities, and the burden of helping foreign residents integrate fell on local governments and private organizations.

The Problems That Emerged

Predictably, a bunch of issues popped up:

  • Language Barriers: Without systematic Japanese language education, many foreign residents struggled in daily life and at work.
  • Cultural Friction: In some areas, conflicts arose over things like garbage disposal rules and noise issues.
  • Social Insurance Non-Payment: Because the system is so complicated and poorly explained, many foreign residents fell behind on health insurance and pension payments.

Here’s the truth: these aren’t really problems caused by foreign residents themselves. They’re problems caused by the government and society failing to create proper support systems.

The Takaichi Administration’s Approach: Is “Order” Really the Foundation?

What the Government Is Proposing

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s administration released its basic immigration policy framework on the very day the House was dissolved. The main pillars include:

  • Stricter requirements for naturalization and permanent residency
  • Enhanced enforcement of tax and social insurance payments
  • New regulations on foreign land ownership

At first glance, these might seem like reasonable measures to maintain social order. But there’s a serious problem lurking here.

The Danger of Making “Order” the Foundation

The government’s approach is built on the idea that “order is the foundation of a cohesive society.”

But the Nishinippon Shimbun editorial asks a sharp question:

“Isn’t the government treating foreign residents as threats to social stability? Breaking the law isn’t unique to foreigners. There’s no solid evidence that increased foreign residents lead to increased crime.”

In other words: by emphasizing “order,” isn’t the government basically viewing foreign residents as “risks that need to be managed”?

The Myth of the “Crime Wave”

You’ve probably heard it before: “More foreigners means more crime.”

But here’s the reality: this claim has no solid evidence backing it up.

National Police Agency data shows that criminal incidents have been declining over the long term. There’s no demonstrated causal relationship between the increase in foreign residents and crime rates.

Yet this narrative keeps getting repeated, fueling prejudice and discrimination against foreign residents.

The Real Foundation Isn’t “Order”—It’s Respect for Human Rights

The Core Message of the Editorial

The Nishinippon Shimbun editorial makes this powerful statement:

“The foundation of coexistence should be an ideology that prioritizes human rights, where Japanese and foreign residents respect each other.”

This is the key to building a truly inclusive society.

Not “Labor” But “Neighbors”

We need to stop seeing foreign residents merely as labor resources. They’re our neighbors, people we’re building a life with. To make that work, we need a society built on mutual respect and human rights.

As an immigration lawyer, I meet foreign residents every day. They’re working hard, supporting their families, and doing their best to contribute to local communities.

But at the same time, they’re dealing with language barriers, complicated legal systems, and yes—sometimes prejudice and discrimination.

What I See on the Frontlines: Visa Applications and Immigration Status Cases

The People I Meet at My Office

As an immigration lawyer handling visa applications and residency status procedures, I see real people with real dreams.

  • International students juggling part-time jobs while attending Japanese language schools
  • Young workers who’ve completed technical internships and are trying to switch to Specified Skilled Worker visas to settle in Japan permanently
  • People married to Japanese nationals, building families and trying to become part of their local communities

These folks are navigating an incredibly complex immigration system, often with anxiety and uncertainty. I see it every day.

The Challenges Companies Face

Companies hiring foreign workers face their own set of challenges too:

  • The residency status system is so complex that employers often don’t know which visa category fits their needs
  • Social insurance and tax procedures are complicated and time-consuming
  • Language barriers make workplace integration difficult

These aren’t problems individuals or companies can solve alone. We need systematic government support and broader social understanding.

If You Mean It When You Say “We’re Not Xenophobic,” Put Human Rights at the Center

Prime Minister Takaichi’s Promise

Prime Minister Takaichi has said that her immigration policy “draws a clear line against xenophobia.”

But the Nishinippon Shimbun editorial challenges this:

“If that’s true, then the government should be careful about implementing regulations that could fuel discrimination and prejudice. There’s no such thing as coexistence without respect for human rights.”

In other words: it’s not about what you say—it’s about whether your actual policies respect human rights.

What Should Come Before Restrictions

Before tightening regulations, there are things we should be doing:

  1. Build Systematic Japanese Language Education: Including “preschool” programs for children and comprehensive adult education.
  2. Strengthen Living Support: Don’t leave it to local governments and private groups—the national government needs to step up.
  3. Make the System Understandable: Simplify social insurance and tax systems, and provide information in multiple languages.
  4. Combat Prejudice and Discrimination: Launch education and awareness campaigns through media and schools.

If we tackle these issues first, most of the friction and non-payment problems will naturally resolve themselves.

Japan Shouldn’t Follow the West’s Xenophobic Turn

The Global Rise of Anti-Immigration Sentiment

Right now, anti-immigration sentiment is growing in many Western countries.

In the United States, strict immigration controls were ramped up under the Trump administration. In Europe, far-right parties are gaining ground with anti-immigrant platforms.

The Path Japan Should Choose

But Japan shouldn’t get swept up in this global wave of intolerance.

Japan faces structural challenges: an aging society and declining population. Without foreign workers, we simply can’t sustain our society and economy.

That’s exactly why we need to choose inclusion over exclusion—to build a society where we live together, not apart.

Don’t Lump Immigration Policy Into One Big Issue—Look at Each Challenge Individually

What Voters Need to Do

The Nishinippon Shimbun editorial also has a message for voters:

“We see politicians directing public frustration toward foreign residents. Voters need to avoid lumping all immigration policy together and instead engage carefully with each individual issue.”

Instead of getting emotional about “immigration policy” as a whole, we need to calmly discuss specific, concrete challenges. That’s the path to genuine coexistence.

The Role of Immigration Lawyers

As immigration lawyers, we use our expertise to support foreign residents and the companies that employ them.

But we also have another role: to promote respect for human rights and help break down prejudice and discrimination.

Need Help With Visa Applications or Residency Status?

What Our Office Can Help You With

Our office provides support for various visa and residency status matters, including:

  • Work Visas: Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services, Skilled Labor, Specified Skilled Worker, etc.
  • Family-Based Visas: Spouse visas, Permanent Resident visas, Long-Term Resident visas, etc.
  • Student/Cultural Visas: Student visas, Cultural Activities visas, etc.
  • Business Manager Visas: For foreign entrepreneurs starting or expanding businesses
  • Naturalization Applications: Support for obtaining Japanese citizenship

Support for Companies Hiring Foreign Workers

We also support companies with:

  • Choosing the right residency status and handling application procedures
  • Guidance on social insurance and tax procedures
  • Support for employee retention (Japanese language education, living support referrals)
  • Immigration law compliance consulting

Conclusion: Respect for Human Rights Is the Only Path to True Coexistence

The Nishinippon Shimbun editorial “Coexistence with Foreign Residents: Human Rights, Not Order, Should Be the Foundation” asks the essential question our society needs to face.

The foundation of coexistence isn’t “order”—it’s respect for human rights.

We need to stop viewing foreign residents as “risks to be managed” and start seeing them as “neighbors we’re building a life with.” That mindset shift is the first step toward genuine coexistence.

As an immigration lawyer, I’m committed to making this vision a reality through my daily work.

If you have questions about residency status or visa applications, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

Reference Article
Nishinippon Shimbun Editorial: “Coexistence with Foreign Residents: Human Rights, Not Order, Should Be the Foundation” (February 7, 2026)
https://news.yahoo.co.jp/articles/3dcb65121c59766d542c9803a4873e262151cc2c

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