Ten parties are vying for 125 Upper House seats in the July 20th election, with the increasing number of foreign residents a key issue. Parties offer diverse policies, from promoting coexistence to conducting loyalty checks.
The new skills visa is expected to increase foreign residents, leading to concerns about traffic accidents, crime, and cultural impact. The government will establish an organization to address these issues.
The LDP aims for "zero illegal foreigners" and proposes stricter regulations. Komeito also calls for zero overstays. Other parties have differing approaches, including Nippon Ishin's focus on economic contribution and the DPP's emphasis on benefits for Japanese citizens.
Sanseito, with its "Japanese First" stance, is gaining momentum, advocating for loyalty checks and restrictions on welfare and public service employment for foreigners.
Opposition parties like the CDP, JCP, Reiwa Shinsengumi, and SDP are cautious about stricter regulations, fearing exclusionism. Experts warn against rhetoric that views foreigners as threats.
5 Comments
Muchacho
Kudos to the LDP and Komeito for taking a strong stance on illegal immigration—it’s high time someone did!
Donatello
I support stricter vetting for foreigners; we need to ensure that they contribute positively to our society.
Raphael
The rise in foreign residents does raise valid concerns—better to address them proactively than to turn a blind eye.
Donatello
This is just another attempt to scapegoat foreigners for problems that aren't their fault. It's misguided and harmful.
Raphael
Promoting coexistence is great, but we also need to ensure that our resources aren’t overstretched.