Share.

    10 Comments

    1. Around-3-ish on

      This is such a silly direction for Japan to take. There are some very serious problems that need addressing. This is an egregious waste of time.

    2. powertodream on

      Sanseito Member’s Statement & Questions

      [Opening — on use of force / enforcement posture]

      “Everyone is raising their voices, but when it comes to actually exercising effective

      coercive power, people may not be directly affected yet — frankly, the attitude is too

      lenient. I strongly urge the Prime Minister herself to also request that this area be

      seriously reviewed.”

      (This opening passage appears to relate to a prior topic — likely enforcement against

      rule-violating foreign nationals — before transitioning to immigration policy.)

      [Main Question — on Japan becoming an immigration nation]

      “Next, I would like to ask about the danger of Japan becoming an immigration nation.

      In previous Diet exchanges, the government side has said it is establishing rules for

      individual programs such as the Ikusei Shurou (Employment for Skill Development) system.

      However, I understand that no overall national cap has been set on the acceptance of

      foreign workers and their families.

      With the birthrate decline unchecked and Japan’s population falling by 900,000 people

      every year, if we accept foreigners without any upper limit, many citizens are voicing

      the fear that Japan will become an immigration nation.

      The Prime Minister, in a speech on September 22nd last year, stated that she would

      ‘reconsider things from a zero base.’ Many citizens, including myself, had high hopes

      for that.

      I strongly request that the government begin considering a cap on the acceptance of

      foreign workers — even starting now. What is your view on this point?”

      Prime Minister Takaichi’s Response

      “I fully understand that anxiety and a sense of unfairness are arising among the citizens

      regarding this matter. As foreign nationals’ acceptance framework requires review, I have

      appointed Minister Onoda as the minister in charge, and concrete measures are currently

      being studied with great urgency.

      The current Ikusei Shurou program and Specified Skilled Worker Type 1 (特定技能1号) do

      have acceptance caps. The issue — I believe — is that Specified Skilled Worker Type 2

      (特定技能2号) has no cap. Furthermore, when setting the Type 1 cap, Type 2 acceptance

      was not taken into consideration. That said, it is not as if there is no limit whatsoever.

      However, the foreign nationals currently living in Japan include permanent residents,

      spouses of Japanese nationals, family visa holders, students, and many other categories

      of residence status. We will properly address all these issues — including social security

      and education — after organizing the various challenges involved, and formulate a solid

      response.”

      Key Context

      – Sanseito is a populist, “Japan First” party that surged in upper house elections and

      has pushed hard for strict immigration caps.

      – PM Takaichi (LDP) adopted tougher immigration rhetoric — partly to contain Sanseito’s

      rise — including ordering Cabinet ministers to compile policy reviews on foreign nationals.

      – The Onoda referenced is Minister Onoda Kimi, designated as the minister in charge of

      foreign national policy.

      – The Takaichi government acknowledged caps exist for lower-tier visa categories but

      conceded Type 2 skilled worker visas have no numerical ceiling, a key point Sanseito

      exploited.

    3. D00d_Where_Am_I on

      Scapegoating the poor and immigrants is the easiest way to keep the populace distracted while you rob from them in other areas.

    4. Also, saying to allow immigrants it not saying to do so without limits. Jumping to the extreme just shows how they desire no such discussion on the matter. They just hate immigrants, and do not care about solving the actual problems.

    5. IntelligentSky7149 on

      The japanese will truly do anything but address the living conditions of the average japanese worker.

    6. Even if not a single more foreigner entered Japan tomorrow, by the sheer fact they are self-reportedly losing 900k in citizens yearly, would mean that the % ratio of foreigners to citizens would increase and they would STILL be crying about this.

      How about making some policies to promote work/life and perhaps more children will be born, rendering this entire conversation moot.

      Let’s no improve lives though, no. Let’s go for simple scapegoats that have no voice in this administration at all.

      All these people suck.