What to Do About Disruptive Foreigners? It's Time to Talk

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Issues involving foreigners have become a point of contention in the Upper House election. This is the first time in memory that this issue has been so visible in a national election.

The number of foreign residents in Japan as of the end of 2024 reached a record high of approximately 3.76 million. Separately, more than 36 million foreign tourists visited Japan that same year. Unlike in the past, Japanese find themselves regularly interacting with foreigners.

Certainly, the majority of foreign residents abide by Japanese laws and customs and conduct themselves appropriately. However, violation of Japanese rules and customs by some foreigners engaging in criminal activity and nuisance behavior has become more noticeable.

Those offenses disrupt daily life in a country where public safety has long been considered a treasure. We must take the necessary steps to preserve the benefits that sense of safety has bestowed on society.

*Land values have surged in the area around Kaminarimon Street in Asakusa, Tokyo. June 27. (©Sankei by Rei Yamamoto)*

Unintended Consequences Also Cause Problems

There are also cases where legal activities undertaken by foreigners negatively impacted the daily lives of Japanese citizens. For example, the apartment prices, especially in Metropolitan Tokyo, are reaching levels beyond those experienced at the height of the Bubble Economy. They are increasingly out of reach of Japanese buyers. One factor cited for the trend is Chinese individuals and capital investors acquiring Japanese real estate.

Other observers have pointed out that some Chinese travel to Japan to take advantage of the high quality medical care system. Under the Japanese system, even for foreigners, patients pay significantly reduced out-of-pocket medical expenses.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi recently addressed the issue in a press conference. "Conditions have arisen which create feelings of anxiety and unfairness among the Japanese people," he acknowledged. Then, on July 15, the Prime Minister's Secretariat launched a new office to promote "orderly coexistence" between Japanese nationals and foreigners in Japan.

Japan is the homeland of the Japanese people. Based on that premise, the government and society should strive to make it possible for Japanese and foreigners to live together peacefully. Respect for established law and customs should go without saying. But if a law is found wanting, there should also be no hesitation to change it.

*Vietnamese women working as caregiver candidates at a special nursing home for the elderly in Yokohama. (©Sankei by Mie Oh)*

Learning from the Friction

Currently, the international environment is tense and difficult, making security measures also imperative. Certainly, opaque acquisition or foreign capital ownership should not be allowed for land surrounding sensitive facilities. That includes essential infrastructure sites and Self-Defense Force bases.

There are also two points to keep in mind. First, there is no reason for hatred or fear of foreigners. Such misplaced emotions should absolutely be avoided. Not all foreigners are disrespectful and this is not the late Edo period with its violent xenophobia and "expel the barbarians" anti-foreigner movement.

Second, we must embrace freedom of speech and allow democracy to work. That means allowing ー not stifling ー healthy debate when issues related to foreigners are raised. It also means avoiding labels such as "xenophobic" or "hateful," even in the face of glaring problems.

Friction has been growing between local Japanese citizens and Kurds residing in Kawaguchi City, Saitama Prefecture. One lesson to be learned from this festering problem is that Japan must not follow in the footsteps of Western countries, where social unrest has been fueled by large influxes of refugees and immigrants.

The Japanese people deserve an open discussion of appropriate measures to deal with problems involving foreigners. Then, action to improve the situation must proceed calmly and steadily.