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Misinformation Spreads About Japan’s Immigration Policy Under New Leadership
False claims that Japan’s newly appointed Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has established a ministry for “mass deportations” have gained significant traction online, reflecting growing tensions around immigration in the world’s third-largest economy.
The misleading statements, which have circulated widely on social media platforms including X and Facebook, primarily in English, claim that Takaichi appointed Kimi Onoda to lead this purported deportation ministry. One post on X garnered more than nine million views with the false assertion that Takaichi “was sworn in and IMMEDIATELY created a ministry for mass deportations.”
In reality, Onoda was appointed on October 21 to several positions, including economic security minister and minister in charge of a “society of well-ordered and harmonious coexistence with foreign nationals.” This department was actually created under Takaichi’s predecessor, Shigeru Ishiba, though Takaichi’s decision to appoint a dedicated cabinet minister to oversee it represents a new development.
During her first press conference on October 22, Onoda did state that Japan “will strictly handle foreign nationals who do not follow the rules,” but made no mention of mass deportations. She noted that “inappropriate use of various systems by some foreign residents, their crimes and misbehavior are causing anxiety and a sense of unfairness among Japanese people.”
The viral misinformation extends beyond English-language communities, with similar false claims circulating in Thai, German, and Spanish. Some Facebook videos have even falsely claimed that Japan’s emperor approved “the nationwide deportation plan” – a claim with no basis in fact.
These misrepresentations come at a time of evolving attitudes toward immigration in Japan, a nation that has historically maintained relatively low immigration rates compared to other developed economies. However, demographic challenges have forced a gradual policy shift. With one of the world’s lowest birth rates, a rapidly aging population, and acute labor shortages across multiple industries, Japan has been slowly increasing its foreign workforce.
The changing demographics became a significant campaign issue during the ruling Liberal Democratic Party’s leadership race earlier in October, which Takaichi won before being elected prime minister. During her campaign, Takaichi made controversial remarks about foreigners, including an accusation that tourists were mistreating deer in her hometown of Nara.
Japan’s tentative steps toward internationalization have sparked a nationalist backlash in some quarters. In July, the anti-immigration Sanseito party made notable gains in upper house elections, increasing its representation from two to fifteen seats. The party’s platform echoes populist movements globally with its criticism of “elitism” and “globalism,” promising to “bring power back to the people.”
The spread of immigration-related misinformation isn’t new in Japan. In September, a cultural and social exchange program with four African nations was canceled after authorities were flooded with emails and phone calls from people who mistakenly believed it represented a new immigration policy. That same month, Kitakyushu city reportedly received numerous complaints following inaccurate claims that it planned to introduce Muslim-friendly school lunches.
As Japan navigates its complex demographic challenges and economic needs, the tension between maintaining cultural homogeneity and addressing labor shortages through immigration remains a sensitive political issue – one that appears increasingly vulnerable to misinformation in the digital age.
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8 Comments
Interesting that the new role overseeing foreign nationals was actually created under the previous administration. This article provides helpful context on the nuances of the policy changes.
The new ‘society of well-ordered and harmonious coexistence with foreign nationals’ department sounds like an interesting development. I’d be curious to learn more about its specific goals and initiatives.
I wonder what the actual policy changes will be regarding immigration and foreign nationals in Japan under the new administration. This article suggests it’s more nuanced than the viral claims.
While Japan’s immigration policies are certainly a sensitive topic, it’s crucial that reporting sticks to the facts and avoids spreading misinformation. This article seems to do a good job at that.
The misleading claims about a ‘mass deportation ministry’ seem to be an exaggeration of the new role focused on foreign nationals. Glad to see the facts correcting the record.
Glad to see this article debunking the false claims about a ‘mass deportation ministry’ in Japan. It’s a good reminder to be skeptical of unverified information, especially on social media.
It’s important to be wary of unsubstantiated claims, especially those that go viral on social media. This article provides a helpful debunking of the ‘mass deportation’ rumors.
Interesting that this rumor gained so much traction on social media. I’d like to see more factual reporting on Japan’s immigration policies and any changes under the new leadership.