Foreign residents closely follow Japan's election and party pledges

Japan Times

5 days ago

As Japan's foreign population continues to rise both in terms of quantity and diversity, one of the talking points during Sunday's election was how the country should deal with the increase of international residents.
While foreign nationals do not have the right to vote unless they naturalize, as residents they contribute to the economy, pay taxes and raise families in Japan. As electoral results could impact their lives, The Japan Times asked several foreign residents to weigh in. Interviews have been edited for brevity and clarity.
Mark Williams (55)
United States, resident of Japan since 2006
If I could vote myself, I'd want to see stronger enforcement of labor laws. I've been lucky, but I know people in other companies who are stuck in that culture where you can't leave until your boss does. That needs to change — for both Japanese people and foreigners alike.
The cost of living is another big one. There are so many middlemen in the distribution process here that it drives up prices unnecessarily. Streamlining that could make a real difference.
I have definitely noticed a shift in attitude (regarding foreigners), especially online. However, if I'm being honest, I've experienced far worse back home in the U.S. than I ever have here.
There are people who've always held discriminatory views — now they just feel more free to voice them. It's not that there are more people who think this way, just more who are willing to say it out loud.
When people say negative things about foreigners online, my wife or daughter will sometimes point it out to me. I might not have noticed otherwise, because I'm not glued to the TV or reading comments all the time.
Day-to-day, I've only ever had positive experiences with people in Japan. My coworkers have always treated me well. I've never felt unwelcome in my workplace. I judge people based on how they treat me directly — not based on what's said online or in anonymous comments.
Alexander Howell-Jackson (27)
United Kingdom, resident of Japan for three years
Anti-foreigner sentiment has definitely been rising. You can see it with parties like Sanseito. But it mirrors what's happening in the rest of the world. When the economy's stagnant and prices go up, people look for someone to blame and often that ends up being foreigners.
Most Japanese people have never had a meaningful interaction with a foreigner. That leaves a vacuum for media narratives to shape their views. It's funny to see the 'foreigners are taking our jobs' narrative appear here too. Japan has a labor shortage and a shrinking population — there are so many unfilled jobs.
There's no way to tell a tourist apart from a foreign resident, so we all get lumped together. Even if I've lived here for years, I get judged by what a tourist did last week. It's frustrating — when tourists don't know the rules, we all pay the price. It's not like we have 'foreign resident' stamped on our forehead with a visa type.
That's not to say everyone is falling victim to this rhetoric. Online, the most racist people are the most vocal. Just because you see those kinds of comments doesn't mean everyone thinks like that.
Simon Henderson (40)
Australia, resident of Japan for three years
I've been following the election very closely. It feels like a pivotal moment for Japan. There's a very real possibility of a political shift, which makes this election particularly significant.
Foreign nationals contribute substantially to Japan's wellbeing, including through taxes. Yet we're still excluded from voting and often from political discourse entirely. Many of us have deep roots here. We work, we pay taxes, we raise families. But without the right to vote, we remain politically invisible.
It's disappointing to see major parties, including the Liberal Democratic Party, echo xenophobic rhetoric rather than challenging it. Instead of framing foreign nationals as threats, Japan's political leaders should recognize the benefits of a more diverse society.
Japan isn't alone in this shift. We're seeing nationalism rise worldwide — but that's no excuse for inaction here. Japan has internationalized a lot over the past decade, but its political institutions haven't kept pace with that change.
If I could vote, I'd want to back candidates that understand Japan's future depends on inclusion — not fear.
Climate change is also a top concern for me. I'd also support parties pushing for human rights reforms and more generous refugee policies.
Additionally, it's contradictory that 18-year-olds can vote but can't run for the Upper House until they're 30 (unlike Australia, where the minimum age to run for office is 18). That sends a clear message: young people don't belong in politics. If Japan wants to improve voter turnout and engagement, especially among youth, it needs to reform its outdated candidacy laws.
Maximo Arozarena (39)
Mexico, resident of Japan for seven years
On the surface, (the rhetoric regarding foreign nationals) doesn't always sound that bad — but for people who understand the context, it's a little bit worrying. I'm not super alarmed personally, because I've seen this kind of thing everywhere — in the U.S., even back in Mexico. But that doesn't mean it's harmless. It's part of a global trend that worries me.
I think the election last October, where the LDP took a big hit, felt more significant. But this one matters too, especially because of Sanseito gaining ground and how that will shift the tone going forward.
There's a lot of stress around the economy — the yen being weak, interest rates, even the ripple effects from tariffs and the U.S. elections. It's all adding to this general anxiety, and you can feel that in the conversations people are having.
If I could vote, I'd back (a candidate advocating for) more progressive social policies — equal rights, gay marriage — but also economic strategies that go beyond short-term fixes. I know it's idealistic, but that's what I'd hope for.
For example, tourism is critical for Japan's economy now, but the way it's handled isn't sustainable. Locals are frustrated with overtourism, and as someone working in the industry, I feel that frustration too. We need better planning — something that supports the economy without overwhelming communities. Right now, it just feels like we're improvising.
One good thing I've seen in recent elections is that Japanese people seem more and more politically engaged. Hopefully, that leads to something positive, and not just empty rhetoric.