What are the issues that arise with Sanae Takaichi’s anti-foreigner policies in Japan?

By Hiroko Koh Student of City of London School For Girls

Introduction

Unlike many other developed HIC countries, which have their fair share of female leaders, Japan has only just recently elected their first ever female prime minister: Sanae Takaichi. During her Liberal Democratic Party presidential race, she argued for stricter policies regarding foreigners entering Japan, which resonated with the concerns of the general Japanese public. However, Japan is facing an aging crisis. Although one could argue that the migration of foreigners amid labour shortages and profit from tourism is the logical solution to undo Japan’s youth drain and economic slump, many Japanese citizens are still against foreigners. This article explores the possible consequences this could have on Japan.

Tourism in Japan

Although Japan is not a polyethnic country, it is globally recognised as a popular tourist hub; in 2024 alone, approximately 37 million people had visited Japan. However, many Japanese citizens, including Takaichi herself, have concerns regarding the rising tide of tourists. For example, Takaichi stated that the general public feels “anxiety and a sense of unfairness” over “illegal actions” by some foreigners. Furthermore, according to an article on The Diplomat, the Japanese complain that tourists “jaywalk, litter, curse, and otherwise behave in ways that are out of step with Japan’s cultural norms”. As a result, there are increased fees and limits that restrict the number of tourists allowed in certain destinations such as Mount Fuji, Kyoto and Tokyo. However, one could argue that this sentiment around foreigners which Japanese politicians criticise is exaggerated - foreigners do not display disrespectful behaviours on a regular basis. Japan is generally regarded as friendly, safe and welcoming when you politely respect the people, culture and social rules set in place, regardless of your ethnicity. Language barriers, social differences and different backgrounds can cause curiosity to be unintentionally regarded as rude. However, these long, tedious and harsh rules can be discouraging for foreigners to visit Japan as it alienates them further away from the community in Japan; moreover, it projects the stereotype and misunderstanding that all foreigners are “disrespectful and rude” when they are not most of the time.

November last year, Takaichi stated that Japan would activate its self-defence force if China attacked Taiwan. China condemned Japan’s statement, calling it an “outside interference.” However, Takaichi refused to apologise for her remarks. As a result, over 60 flights from China to Japan were cancelled, plummeting the profits in the tourism industry as Chinese nationals make up a quarter of all foreign tourists to Japan. Takaichi’s unapologetic manner only fuelled national identity and pride, persuading more Japanese citizens to vote for anti-foreigner policies.

Japan’s youth drain

One problem that could emerge from Takaichi’s anti-foreigner campaign is the decreasing birth rate. As more and more women are no longer pressured by gender stereotypes, many women do not feel the need to follow the traditional social construct of motherhood. Takaichi herself is a feminist with no children and her strong headed mindset stems from the patriarchy in Japan’s government that has discouraged women from holding political power. Although everyone should have the right to choose whether to have children, the impacts of an aging population are severe: lower pensions, economic growth and workforce. Former Prime Minister, Fumio Kishida addressed the aging crisis in January 2023 stating that "Japan is standing on the verge of whether we can continue to function as a society."

By welcoming foreigners, the economy and workforce could grow faster however many are against this as it dilutes Japan’s national identity. After all, Japan is a monoethnic society; only 3% of the population in Japan is made up of immigrants compared to 51% in America. However, it is ironic that some Japanese nationals are against migrants who can help keep Japan’s diminishing economy and industry alive.

Conclusion

Takaichi’s party has secured 316 out of 465 seats in its most recent election in February, making it the first time a single party has won a two-thirds majority since 1947. An unbelievable number of Japanese nationals are voting for this; however, national isolation - especially in an aging population - could downplay Japan’s already diminishing economy and industry. The anti-foreigner sentiment is brewing in Japan yet, it may not be as promising as many politicians say it is.