In a move set to reshape Japan’s immigration and integration policies, the Japanese government has announced plans to step up regulatory oversight of foreign residents as part of a broader initiative to build what it terms a “society of harmonious coexistence” between nationals and non-nationals.
At a high-level meeting held on Friday at the Prime Minister’s Office in Tokyo, Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru and key Cabinet ministers discussed a series of comprehensive measures aimed at ensuring that foreign residents comply with Japanese laws, social systems, and public norms.
Prime Minister Ishiba, addressing the growing population of foreign residents in Japan, stated that while their presence is increasingly vital, there have been incidents — including criminal cases and regulatory breaches — that have caused unease among Japanese citizens.
“Those who do not abide by the rules must be strictly dealt with,” Ishiba said firmly, urging ministers to execute their respective mandates to enforce compliance while promoting integration.
A new policy document outlining these measures is expected to be fully implemented within the current fiscal year, which ends in March 2026. The document emphasizes the importance of educating foreign nationals about Japan’s legal framework and societal expectations, while also holding them accountable for responsible conduct.
Key among the new measures is the plan to verify whether foreign residents are fulfilling obligations such as tax payments and social security contributions, particularly during visa application and renewal processes.
To ensure smooth interagency coordination, the government has also agreed to establish a dedicated office within the Cabinet Secretariat. This unit will be tasked with overseeing and streamlining the implementation of the new integration and compliance measures across various ministries and agencies.
The initiative marks one of Japan’s most assertive efforts yet to balance openness to foreign labor and residents with stricter enforcement of societal norms a reflection of the challenges and complexities of multicultural coexistence in one of the world’s most homogenous societies.
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