Conference on Foreigners Launched

Sanae Takaichi Cabinet launched a new conference of cabinet ministers for discussing measures to deal with social problems caused by foreigners in Japan. They raised some agenda to discuss, which included illegal foreigners in Japan, further regulation on foreigners’ purchase of the land and false payment of social insurance. Although Takaichi argues that fixing problems of foreigners is one of her major political agenda, the measures discussed in the ministers’ conference are something the previous administrations have already tackled on. 

Japan has been accepting foreigners to compensate labor shortage in farms or small businesses in local economy, which caused annual increase of foreigners in Japan in recent years. The government of Japan is going to introduce new system for foreign workers, in which technical interns will be replaced by “educational working” in 2027. Japan has also been promoting tourism to boost Japanese economy, seeking income from purchasing goods, dining or accommodation by foreign travelers.

 

According to Immigration Services Agency, foreigners in Japan at the end of June, 2025, were 3.95 million, marking the biggest number ever and increasing by 5.0 percent from last December. Top three home countries of those foreigners in Japan are China, Vietnam and the Republic of Korea.

 

One of the common issues for countries in the world is illegal immigrants. “People in Japan hold concern and unfairness on illegal activities and ignorance of rules by a part of foreigners. We as the government resolutely deal with it, taking distance from xenophobia,” said Takaichi in the meeting. Illegal foreigners in July 2025 were 71 thousand, decreasing by 4.9 percent from January 2025.

 

Shigeru Ishiba administration laid out “illegal foreigners zero plan” in May 2025, expecting to double deportees in three years later, and launched an office for well-ordered coexistence with foreigners. The immigration authority hopes the plan to work as a deterrence. Takaichi administration basically succeeded that policy.

 

Concerning speculative trade of real estate by the foreigners, which causes rising of land prices, the government considers stricter regulation on land trade. Some opposition party proposed new tax on vacant rooms. Takaichi administration will contemplate identification of buyers of land or research of land trade by investors living in overseas.

It is a long-time problem that foreigners had medical treatment with false use of health insurance system of Japan. The government will also revise medical support system for foreigners and the support for foreign students.

 

Although Takaichi openly stressed her anti-foreigner agenda in presidential election of the Liberal Democratic Party in October, her actual measures are making no big difference from former policies. It is likely for Takaichi to raise foreigners’ issue as a populist agenda, which was upheld by opposition populist parties in the Upper House election this July.

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