Japan’s year of the outsider: how anti-foreigner sentiment went mainstream
Record immigration and the ‘Trump factor’ fuelled a xenophobic election surge, but analysts say another political target is emerging
In a December 29 review of the year, the Mainichi reported that policies and attitudes towards foreign nationals “leapt to the forefront of Japanese politics and onto front pages”, propelled in part by the “xenophobic policies and rhetoric of the right-wing Sanseito party” in the July general election.
While Takaichi appears to be winning at least some of those voters back, it is undeniable that non-Japanese people in the country have become a key talking point in society.
Analysts say the debates over immigration, large-scale tourism and their impact on the lives of ordinary Japanese were driven by events at home and abroad in what was a tumultuous year around the world, but there is hope that tensions within Japan at least could ease this year.