Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi announced on November 4 that her administration will present the direction of Japan’s policies on foreign nationals by January, emphasizing it as one of her government’s key priorities. At the first meeting of the newly established ministerial council on the issue, Takaichi instructed ministers to accelerate discussions on immigration compliance, proper administration of existing systems, and regulations concerning land ownership by foreign nationals.
Takaichi reiterated that while the government must take firm action against illegal activities and rule violations by some foreign nationals, it will also ensure clear opposition to xenophobia. The new council will review a wide range of related systems, including immigration control, access to social security, educational support, and measures to address overtourism.
The initiative aligns with Takaichi’s earlier campaign pledges to strengthen oversight on overstayers and land acquisitions. It also supports the coalition agreement between the Liberal Democratic Party and Nippon Ishin, which aims to craft a comprehensive “population strategy” by fiscal 2026, including numerical targets for accepting foreign nationals.