Japan launches government body to address concerns over foreign nationals

15/7/2025 19:15

Japan on Tuesday set up an administrative body aimed at easing citizens' concerns over the rapid rise in the number of foreigners in recent years, as policies concerning non-Japanese residents emerge as a key issue in Sunday's national election.



The body would serve as a cross-agency "control tower" to respond to issues such as crime and over-tourism involving foreigners, the government said.



Japan has long sought to maintain a homogeneous population through strict immigration laws, but has gradually eased them to supplement its shrinking and ageing labour force. The number of foreign nationals hit a record of about 3.8 million last year, although that is still just 3% of the total population.