As of June 2024, a record 3.59 million foreign nationals lived in Japan, playing a vital role in society. During the year, however, the immigration law was revised to enforce stricter deportation of those without valid residency and to simplify the revocation of permanent resident status. The Mainichi reflects on articles that examined such developments and other issues that impact the human rights of non-Japanese residents.

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'We were told to target foreigners': Ex-officer on systematic racial profiling by Japan police

TOKYO -- Police in a west Japan prefecture engaged in persistent and systematic racial profiling ordered by senior officers, targeting foreigners for questioning, ID checks and searches, a former inspector with the force revealed to The Mainichi in a recent interview. Full story.

What can foreign residents do if stopped for questioning by Japanese police?

TOKYO -- In January, a trio of foreign-born Japanese residents filed suit in the Tokyo District Court against the Japanese state plus the Tokyo Metropolitan and Aichi Prefectural governments for what they claim is frequent police questioning based solely on their ethnicities, or racial profiling. So what can you do if police officers stop you on the street for questioning in Japan? Full story.

Japan's pension system relying on foreigners to secure sufficient payments: assessment

TOKYO -- A fiscal assessment of Japan's pension system released on July 3 has highlighted that the amounts of pension benefits in Japan are determined by the number of foreign residents in the country. Full story.

Garbage woes, but no major discord as east Japan town's foreign population exceeds 8%

AIKAWA, Kanagawa -- Surpassing international cities like Yokohama, this small east Japan town is the municipality with the highest proportion of non-Japanese people in Kanagawa Prefecture, south of Tokyo, accounting for around 8% of its nearly-40,000 population. What's brought these residents to this small mountain town? Full story.

'I was cheated': Abused foreign workers in spotlight as Japan revamps system

Japan's House of Representatives on May 21 passed a bill to introduce a new training and employment status of residence as a replacement for the country's technical intern training program. Those with a training and employment status of residence can transition to the specified skilled worker status, which requires higher Japanese language proficiency and work skills, but support systems for this latter category are insufficient. Those offering help have accordingly raised calls for immediate strengthening of public support for such workers. Full story.

Following Japan quake, ex-police chief warns of false rumors about crimes by foreigners

TOKYO -- Soon after the Jan. 1 Noto Peninsula earthquake, talk of "gangs of foreign thieves" began to spread online in Japan. And this was not an isolated case. In recent years, these kinds of false rumors have become common during large-scale natural disasters, and with them comes the risk of discrimination targeting foreign residents. Full story.

School rules presuming black, straight hair perplex children with foreign roots in Japan

TAMBA, Hyogo -- School rules and guidance in Japan presuming students have "black, straight hair" have baffled students with foreign roots, sparking criticism that such restrictions could impact their personality growth and constitute a human rights violation. Full story.

Japan court scraps Ghanaian man's lawsuit to receive welfare

CHIBA -- A Ghanaian man's lawsuit to receive welfare was rejected on Jan. 16 by the local court here. Full story.

Editorial: It's time the gov't said it loud and clear: Japan is now an immigrant nation

As the number of foreigners living in Japan rapidly increases, they are becoming vital pillars supporting various sectors of society. This surge poses a significant question: How should Japan address this? Full story.

Opinion: Xenophobia is baked into Japan's postwar Constitution

U.S. President Joe Biden labeling Japan "xenophobic" in a recent speech because "they don't want immigrants" was not merely a slip of the tongue during a campaign event. He said something similar in a radio interview back in March. While the Japanese government called Biden's comment "regrettable," Washington neither retracted it nor apologized. Full story.

Opinion: Law to revoke residence status over tax arrears irks permanent residents in Japan

OSAKA -- As economic challenges in Japan continue, some are becoming unable to pay social insurance premiums or taxes due to deteriorating health or job circumstances. Amid such a situation, following updates to immigration laws this June, permanent resident foreigners can have their status revoked if in arrears. Full story.

1st night junior high in Japan's Gunma Pref. opens with 80% foreign students

ISESAKI, Gunma -- The first night junior high school in east Japan's Gunma Prefecture has opened, and 80% of the inaugural class of 35 students, aged from their teens to 60s, are foreigners. Full story.

Japan high schoolers create illustrated English food labels to help foreign residents

HASHIMOTO, Wakayama -- Three students here have developed illustrated English food labels to help foreign residents avoid meal-time mishaps, like Muslims eating items containing pork, or anyone not fluent in Japanese simply buying entirely the wrong thing. Full story.