Japan declares war on foreigners

TokyoIn recent weeks, the Japanese government has accelerated a restrictive shift in immigration policies that directly affects foreigners living in the country. With drastic fee increases, new administrative obstacles And with increased surveillance of non-Japanese residents, Sanae Takaichi's administration presents the package as a mechanism to ensure "fairness and compliance with the law," but the measures have sparked concern among foreign communities and civil rights experts.

The most notable change is the increase in the minimum capital required to obtain a visa. Business ManagerThe minimum fee, which has risen from 5 million to 30 million yen (166,110 euros), is a nearly insurmountable barrier for small global entrepreneurs. The new regulations also include drastic, almost absurd, fee increases—from 6,000 to 40,000 yen (221 euros) to renew a work permit and up to 300,000 yen (1,661 euros) to obtain permanent residency—and the use of the system. My Number to track unpaid pensions, taxes, and insurance. In parallel, the government is preparing restrictions on land purchases, increased airport fees exclusively for foreigners, and mandatory health insurance for visitors, in a context where Tokyo is also reducing and eliminating taxes for the Japanese population.

This restrictive shift is not understood merely as an administrative response, but as a calculated political move fueled by pressure from the far right in the country. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi The government has ordered ministries to clean up the system and strengthen controls to ensure that only foreigners who strictly comply with the law remain in Japan. Among the most controversial measures is the intention to block access to benefits, such as childcare assistance, that some undocumented immigrants have received until now. Humanitarian organizations denounce this as a discourse that collectively criminalizes non-Japanese people and legitimizes an atmosphere where suspicion replaces coexistence.

Meanwhile, the government insists that these measures are not xenophobic, but merely "system corrections" in response to alleged abuses amplified by the most conservative sectors. But the contrast is stark: while taxes and conditions for living, working, and even investing in the country are being tightened for foreigners, Tokyo is accelerating tax cuts, mostly for Japanese citizens. The result is a growing sense that Japan is moving away from the openness model it often preaches and retreating into a restrictive idea of community, which could further fracture the relationship between Japanese society and a very small foreign population essential to sustaining the country's economic and demographic future.

A self-inflicted wound

The new measures come at a critical time, with accelerated aging and record low birth rates and a shrinking workforce. In this context, many experts agree that Japan needs to attract more foreign talent, not discourage it. The current tightening of immigration policies could have the opposite effect of what the government claims to be pursuing, making Japan a less competitive destination at a time when South Korea, Singapore, and Australia are easing their policies to attract professionals. This scenario also reflects a broader political trend, where the discourse surrounding "abuse of the system" by foreigners has been gaining traction in certain right-wing circles. The Takaichi administration has capitalized on this narrative, reinforcing the idea that the country must protect itself from the misuse of its public services. However, available data indicates that cases of non-payment or fraud are very rare.

The result is a climate in which many foreigners—even descendants of Japanese immigrants who have lived in Japan for decades, pay taxes, and fully contribute to society—fear that any administrative error or tax disagreement could place them on the brink of deportation. As policies become stricter and government rhetoric more hostile, the risk grows that the country will solidify a two-tiered citizenry. And that, sociologists and economists warn, could erode the international reputation of a Japan that aspires to remain an open and reliable global player.