Japan Immigration News

LDP presidential hopefuls take hard-line stance on immigration

Release Date
2025-09-26
Media
Japan Times
Summary
As campaigning for the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) presidency began this week, all five candidates emphasized tough positions on immigration:

Sanae Takaichi (former economic security minister) condemned bad behavior by foreign tourists and criticized the release of foreign suspects due to interpreter shortages. She pledged to overhaul immigration policies “from scratch,” reject economic migrants posing as refugees, and enforce laws strictly against illegal immigrants.

Shinjiro Koizumi (agriculture minister), despite his reformist image, declared he would “not pursue an immigration policy,” reflecting party concerns about public backlash to foreign residents. He and Takaichi both proposed a “control tower” to address visa overstays and foreign land purchases.

Toshimitsu Motegi (former LDP secretary-general) called for “zero illegal foreign nationals” after visiting Kawaguchi, Saitama, where tensions with Kurdish residents exist.

Yoshimasa Hayashi (chief cabinet secretary) vowed to tighten rules on converting foreign driver’s licenses, citing accident concerns.

Takayuki Kobayashi (former economic security minister) argued Japan should reduce labor dependence on foreigners, promising stricter visa checks and background screenings.

Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba had already created a cross-agency body in July to address crime and overtourism, tapping into voter sentiment influenced by the right-wing Sanseito party’s “Japanese First” rhetoric.
Tags
Immigration Policy

News Articles including "Immigration Policy"

Released on
Article Title
Tags
2024-11-23
Immigration Policy, Specified Skilled Worker