EXCLUSIVE: Japan Panel to Discuss Orderly Coexistence with Foreigners

Tokyo, Nov. 20 (Jiji Press)–The Japanese government will soon hold the first meeting of a new panel of experts to discuss ways to realize a society of orderly coexistence with foreign people, Jiji Press has learned. The inaugural meeting will likely be held on Nov. 27, government sources said Wednesday. The government plans to appoint Reiko Hayashi, director-general of the National Institute of Population and Social Security Research, as chair of the new panel. Based on the results of the discussions at the panel, the government is expected to outline policies on foreigners as early as next January. While a similar panel focused primarily on “coexistence” with foreigners, the new one will also emphasize the aspect of “order,” the sources said. The new panel is expected to discuss tightening immigration and residency management, reviewing rules for land acquisition by foreigners, measures against overtourism and Japanese language education. At the first meeting of a ministerial council on foreign people on Nov. 4, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi emphasized her administration’s firm stance against illegal acts by some foreigners. Simultaneously, acknowledging labor shortages due to population decline, she expressed her position of pursuing coexistence with foreigners while drawing a clear line against xenophobia. END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]