In line with her pledge to strengthen policies on foreign nationals, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi will direct ministers to accelerate talks on tightening foreign land ownership and immigration rules.
The move comes as part of a broader government initiative to reassess policies affecting foreign nationals living in or visiting Japan.
According to government sources, the administration plans to reorganize an existing ministerial committee and hold its first meeting on Nov. 4.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara will lead the committee, with Kimi Onoda, the minister overseeing foreign nationals policies, playing a key coordinating role.
The committee is expected to discuss a range of issues, including access to social welfare for foreigners and support for international students and foreign schools operating in Japan.
The agenda also covers tightening requirements for acquiring Japanese citizenship and addressing the impact of overtourism on local communities.
The government plans to consult experts with the aim of outlining new policies early next year.
The policy overhaul aligns with Takaichi’s campaign pledge during the Liberal Democratic Party leadership race in October to take a firmer stance against what she describes as foreigners who do not follow the rules.
It also reflects commitments made in the coalition agreement between the LDP and Nippon Ishin (Japan Innovation Party), which includes drafting a demographic policy by March 2027 that sets numerical targets for acceptance of foreign nationals.
In her policy speech at the Diet on Oct. 24, Takaichi said public concern is growing over illegal activities and rule violations by some foreign nationals.
“Such incidents have led to feelings of unease and unfairness among Japanese citizens,” she said.
Takaichi stressed the importance of reinforcing the government’s control and re-examining rules on land ownership.
(This article was written by Taishi Sasayama and Haruka Suzuki.)