NGOs Unite Against Xenophobia in Japan's Upper House Election

On July 8, in Tokyo, representatives from various nongovernmental organizations came together for a press conference to address the rising issue of xenophobia in Japan. This gathering saw almost 300 organizations release a unified statement that criticized xenophobic statements from political candidates during the ongoing Upper House election campaign, particularly refuting the unfounded claim that foreigners enjoy special privileges. The statement was spearheaded by eight NGOs, including the Solidarity Network with Migrants Japan (Ijuren) and the Anti-Poverty Campaign, and garnered the support of an impressive 266 additional groups.

During the conference, Yasuko Morooka, a lawyer and one of the organizing members, highlighted a troubling trend where foreigners are being unjustly blamed for rising prices of staple goods, such as rice. She emphasized that these accusations unfairly target foreigners as scapegoats for broader economic dissatisfaction. Furthermore, she noted that claims regarding foreigners receiving preferential treatment in areas like healthcare and pensions lack any factual evidence. Ippei Torii, head of Ijuren, reiterated that Japan's society heavily relies on the contributions of foreigners.

The joint statement issued by the NGOs pointed out the absence of basic legal protections for the human rights of foreigners in Japan, noting that they do not possess voting rights or access to public assistance. The statement also condemned the xenophobic rhetoric observed not only in the current election but also during the earlier Tokyo metropolitan assembly elections. It warned that hate speech against foreigners not only harms those it targets but threatens to deepen divisions among different ethnic and national groups. Ultimately, the statement urged voters to support a vision of coexistence that honors the dignity of all individuals.