The Direction of Japan's Foreign National Policies under Sanae Takaichi's New Administration: A Structural Shift from Management to Coexistence
Disclaimer: The content of this article is for informational reference only and does not constitute investment advice, a solicitation, or a basis for major decision-making. Please make independent judgments and consult professional advisors when needed.
This article analyzes the new framework for foreign national policies under the Takaichi Cabinet, explaining how systems such as law enforcement, visas, residency, land, and tourism management will be tightened, and assesses the specific impacts on foreign nationals in Japan, businesses, and local communities.
November 4, 2025 Sanae Takaichi Foreigners Issues Meeting
1. Meeting Background and Purpose of Convening
Question
Why was the first ministerial meeting on foreign nationals held on November 4, 2025?
AIAIGAnswer
Japan's foreign resident population continues to rise, with labor shortages coexisting with tourism recovery, and societal anxiety over some violations is increasing; existing policies have long been advanced in a fragmented manner by multiple departments, lacking overall coordination. The new cabinet of Takachi has positioned 'orderly coexistence' and strict law enforcement as key policy priorities, requiring the Prime Minister's Office to serve as a platform to initiate cross-departmental collaboration and top-level design.
Question
What are the direct triggers of the conference in political and social aspects?
AIAIGAnswer
The ruling coalition has included strengthening the regulation of foreigner policies in the governance agreement; excessive tourism in local areas and popular scenic spots has caused order issues; concerns about the security and information transparency of foreign capital land purchases are heating up; society expects unified standards and higher execution capabilities.
II. Sanae Takaichi's Position and Instructions
Question
How did Sanae Takaichi express her overall stance at the meeting?
AIAIGAnswer
On one hand, she affirmed the importance of foreign talent and inbound tourism for the economy and labor market; on the other hand, she emphasized 'resolutely addressing' a small number of violations and illegal acts, implementing strict and fair rule of law management while clearly distinguishing from xenophobia, and promoting 'orderly coexistence'.
Question
Does it involve balancing statements on social perception and human rights risks?
AIAIGAnswer
Yes. Takashi emphasizes drawing a clear line with exclusionism, advocating for distinguishing between the law-abiding majority and the rule-breaking minority. It is necessary to respond to demands for public safety and order while also maintaining an image of openness and coexistence, preventing the generalization of individual case issues into group biases.
3. Meeting Architecture and Coordination Mechanism
Question
Who serves as the cross-departmental coordinating 'command tower'?
AIAIGAnswer
The newly appointed Minister in Charge of Promoting a Society of Coexistence with Foreign Nationals (Konomi Onoda) is responsible for coordination, integrating information and law enforcement collaboration across the Ministry of Justice, National Police Agency, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, and Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, to enhance policy consistency and execution efficiency.
IV. Discussion Focus: Entry and Exit and Residence Management
Question
What are the key trends in immigration and residence management?
AIAIGAnswer
Propose to strengthen comprehensive governance and joint enforcement against illegal overstays by enhancing stricter residence qualification reviews and renewal management; explore conducting visa renewal assessments based on tax payment and violation records.
Question
Is the 'zero illegal residents' related goal mentioned?
V. Discussion Focus: Tourism Order and Overtourism
Question
How does the meeting respond to the order issues caused by overtourism?
AIAIGAnswer
Emphasize regulating tourist behavior, strictly managing illegal homestays and unlicensed tour guides, promoting the diversion of popular scenic spots and the accommodation of local tourism resources, while balancing local development and order maintenance.
Question
What approaches might be taken in terms of policy tools?
Six, Discussion Focus: Social Security and Public Services
Question
What are the main review directions at the social security level?
AIAIGAnswer
Strengthening fairness and equivalence of obligations: urging foreigners in Japan to join and pay social insurance according to regulations; evaluating proof of commercial health insurance before entry; reviewing the applicability and implementation of programs such as child allowances and educational assistance.
Question
Does it involve structural adjustments to fees and eligibility?
Seven, Discussion Focus: Land and Real Estate Regulation
Question
Why are land and real estate key issues?
AIAIGAnswer
Public opinion is concerned about the transparency and security of foreign capital's land and real estate transactions in specific areas, necessitating an understanding of the actual scale, improving registration and reporting systems, and preventing potential security and resource allocation risks.
Question
How is information management planned to be improved?
Question
What are the characteristics of the main tone in media coverage and public reactions?
AIAIGAnswer
Media focuses on the dual stance of 'drawing a line against xenophobia but enforcing laws strictly'; public reactions are polarized: supporters emphasize security and fairness, while those concerned warn against stigmatization and impacts on international image. Overall, there is an expectation to strike a balance between security and openness.
Nine. Expert Review and Risk Warning
Question
How do experts evaluate the positive significance of this meeting?
AIAIGAnswer
They consider it a 'remedial lesson' for long-term fragmented governance: through official residence coordination and the leadership of dedicated ministers, breaking down departmental barriers, enhancing execution consistency, and directly addressing systemic issues such as illegal overstays, tourism order, social security, and land supervision.
Question
What is the direction of short- to medium-term policies?
AIAIGAnswer
Overall, it is becoming more systematic and stricter: strengthening immigration control and joint law enforcement, improving tourism order rules, advancing the equivalence of qualifications and obligations in social security, and enhancing transparency and risk control in land and real estate transactions, forming a governance system that is 'clear in rules and perceptible in enforcement'.
Eleven, Terminology and Key Points Overview
Question
What is the policy connotation of 'orderly coexistence'?
AIAIGAnswer
While affirming the economic and social contributions of foreigners, it uses the rule of law as the baseline to ensure the equivalence and order of qualifications, obligations, and rights, opposing both exclusion and the tolerance of violations.
Question
What problems does the cross-departmental 'command tower' mechanism solve?
Disclaimer: The content of this article is for informational reference only and does not constitute investment advice, a solicitation, or a basis for major decision-making. Please make independent judgments and consult professional advisors when needed.