View more Although its foreign-born population is very small compared to that of other immigration destination countries, Japan has struggled to overcome widespread public anxieties about foreigners and develop ways to meet migrant labour needs. One strategy has been to reduce non-nationals in irregular situations while accelerating immigration of skilled workers.
An important tool used to implement this policy has been mandatory detention of over-stayers and other unauthorized migrants. Most foreign nationals come from Asian countries, notably China, the Koreas, and the Philippines, as well as Latin American descendants of Japanese immigrants MoJ, Nevertheless, the recent influx of foreign nationals in Japan has divided public attitudes.
Public opinion surveys, however, reveal a more mixed reaction among the general population. In , 60 percent of respondents said that Japan should accept migrant workers while 30 percent were against it, arguing that innovation and full utilization of women and aged labour could make up for shortfalls Cabinet Office Foreign nationals face significant difficulties integrating into Japanese society. Immigration policy has aimed to reduce the numbers of non-nationals in irregular situations while accelerating immigration of skilled workers.
An important tool used for implementing this policy has been mandatory detention of over-stayers and other unauthorized migrants. Pressure from these actors and demonstrations by detainees have helped spur some changes, including reductions in the numbers of child detainees and minor improvements in detention conditions.
Nonetheless, operations at detention centres remain at the discretion of the director of each immigration facility for example, with respect to the length of free time and tolerance of religious events , leading to claims of unequal and arbitrary treatment Shoji Key norms.
