Immigration Debate Dominates Japan House Election Campaign

In the lead-up to Japan's July 20 House of Councillors election, immigration and policies toward foreigners have become central and contentious issues, with nationalist and conservative parties, especially the Sanseito party, gaining popularity by advocating a "Japanese First" approach that includes stricter immigration controls and cultural conformity demands. The ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), led by Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, has responded by toughening its rhetoric and pledging to pursue "zero illegal foreigners," while also balancing calls for coexistence and establishing a new immigration command center. Human rights organizations have condemned hateful and inaccurate rhetoric against foreigners, emphasizing the harm caused by misinformation and hate speech during campaigns, and calling for political discourse based on facts. Despite public concerns fueled by isolated incidents involving foreigners, official data show that crimes involving foreign nationals remain low and stable. Experts warn that the rising acceptance of exclusionary and xenophobic narratives risks deepening social divisions, discrimination, and potentially endangering democratic values in Japan. The election campaign has thus highlighted a broader societal debate on immigration, integration, and Japan's demographic challenges amid an increasingly diverse population.