Justice Minister Ryuji Koizumi explained that the amendment is intended to “quickly deport people without residence permits and help reduce the number of long-term detentions. Those who need protection will be protected, while those who break the rules will be treated strictly.”
Japan’s first female prime minister promises an even tougher line
The already stringent refugee policy has been tightened further under Japan’s first female prime minister, Sanae Takaichi. During her election campaign and after taking office following a record victory, she presented herself as a conservative leader inclined towards stricter rules for foreign nationals.
Takaichi advocates tighter immigration controls, while acknowledging the country’s need for foreign labour in light of its rapidly ageing population. The prime minister has called for firm action against irregular migration, stating that “illegal activities and rule-breaking by some foreigners are causing a sense of unease and injustice among the Japanese people.” According to her, the government will “respond decisively” to such activities.
These measures are also aimed at addressing growing anti-immigration sentiment in Japan, which has been capitalised on by the Sanseitō party, led by Shōhei Kamijo, under the slogan “Japanese first.”
Migrants clash with Japan’s social norms and traditions
Japan has long seen itself as a culturally homogeneous and socially cohesive nation, placing strong emphasis on long-established traditions, including clearly defined standards of behaviour in public. Social conduct in shared spaces tends to be restrained and formal, rooted in politeness, courtesy and consideration for others. Loud or conspicuous behaviour is generally frowned upon.
At a time when the country is recording a sharp increase in the number of foreign nationals needed to offset its shrinking workforce, these norms increasingly come into contact with different cultural practices brought from abroad. Public expressions of custom and identity that are commonplace elsewhere can generate friction in a society accustomed to a high degree of social uniformity.
Tensions have been particularly visible in debates surrounding Muslim communities. Public religious practices conducted several times a day have drawn criticism in some quarters. The loud recitation of religious texts or group prayer in public spaces is viewed by critics as incompatible with prevailing social expectations.
Other points of contention include the construction of mosques, the use of public baths, the wearing of religious clothing in the workplace and differing burial practices, where cultural expectations can diverge significantly.
Knife attacks and harassment cases bolster conservative rhetoric
The UN Human Rights Committee has expressed concern about reports of extensive surveillance of Muslims by law enforcement agencies, urging the authorities to ensure training in “cultural awareness and the inadmissibility of racial profiling, including widespread surveillance of Muslims.”
Similar clashes involving segments of the Muslim community, whose religious and cultural practices are perceived as conflicting with local traditions, have contributed to a growing wave of anti-immigration sentiment in the country. This mood has been further fuelled by right-wing politicians who point to crimes involving migrants.
Public opinion was particularly shaken in 2023 by a large-scale altercation involving members of the Kurdish community, reportedly linked to a dispute over adultery, which escalated into a knife fight. Several cases of sexual harassment involving girls at an elementary school further intensified the debate. In response, city authorities adopted a “resolution calling for stricter crackdowns on crimes committed by certain foreigners,” a move widely reported in the national press, including the conservative daily Sankei.
In Japan, such incidents often trigger anti-immigration demonstrations, some of which have been described by foreign observers as a “rising tide of xenophobia.”
It was this focus on public order and migration that contributed to the election victory of the hardline conservative Prime Minister Takaichi. She pledged tougher penalties for migrants and stricter conditions governing their stay if they fail to comply with Japanese law.
New tougher rules for migrants
As part of this policy shift, the Japanese government has introduced a broad package of measures aimed at tightening immigration controls and regulations affecting foreign nationals. These include stricter naturalisation requirements and a plan to double the number of state-funded deportations carried out with immigration escorts.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara said of the proposed legislation, “We have developed this package of policies in response to the feelings of anxiety and injustice among citizens.”
Foreign workers and their family members will be required to demonstrate integration into society, including participation in Japanese language courses and compliance with systems governing foreign residents, when applying for or renewing visas.
Stricter screening is planned for visa applications and renewals, particularly for individuals with criminal violations, unpaid taxes or outstanding medical bills. If a permanent resident commits such offences, the government will consider revoking their status. Detailed guidelines are currently being prepared, with the new sanctions expected to take effect in April 2027.
The government also intends to tighten naturalisation rules by extending the minimum residence requirement from five years to at least ten. At present, applicants for naturalisation must have lived in Japan for five consecutive years, which is half the period required for permanent residence.
From 2027, the number of state-funded deportations involving escort officers is set to double in an effort to reduce the number of foreign nationals who evade deportation orders.
When a foreign national receives an order to leave the country, often for overstaying a visa or committing crimes in Japan, but fails to comply, the authorities will purchase an airline ticket and arrange their return to their country of origin, either unaccompanied or under escort.
Europe as a cautionary example in managing migration
The perceived inability of some migrants to adapt their customs and cultural practices to the country in which they have chosen to live, including those granted refugee status, has prompted the government to adopt significantly tougher measures. These no longer prioritise lengthy and complex deportation procedures for individuals deemed problematic.
Japan has introduced strict controls on entry and strengthened the enforcement of domestic regulations, arguing that such steps reflect the will of the electorate. The measures have been presented as a response to growing public dissatisfaction with religious communities seen as failing to respect the norms of the host country.
Some commentators argue that Europe and other developed nations could learn from Japan’s approach to tackling crime involving migrants. Japan places strong emphasis on preserving its cultural traditions and remains one of the safest countries in the world.
Critics of European migration policy contend that several countries have tolerated rising disorder and insecurity, partly out of concern over criticism from NGOs and activists. They argue that such critics often speak about rights violations from comparatively secure environments, far removed from the neighbourhoods most affected.
Debate in Europe has also focused on districts where state authority is perceived to be weak and policing insufficient. The term “no-go zones” has been used in this context to describe areas said to experience elevated crime rates and limited law enforcement presence.
Japanese policymakers have cited developments in Europe as a warning of the potential consequences of uncontrolled migration and have framed their response as an effort to safeguard the country’s social cohesion and long-established traditions.
