Misinformation Drives Rising Anti-Immigration Sentiments in Japan and Australia

Immigration Debate in Australia and Japan Distorted by Misinformation

Immigration concerns are intensifying in Australia and Japan, where legitimate policy discussions have increasingly been undermined by misinformation campaigns that target foreign residents and fuel social division.

In Japan, a recent development initiative has become a flashpoint for anti-immigration sentiment. During the Tokyo International Conference on African Development in August, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) launched a cultural exchange program designating four Japanese cities as “hometowns” for specific African countries: Ghana paired with Sanjo in Niigata prefecture; Mozambique with Imabari in Ehime prefecture; Nigeria with Kisarazu in Chiba prefecture; and Tanzania with Nagai in Yamagata prefecture.

The initiative was designed to promote cross-cultural understanding and develop talent exchanges, but quickly became distorted through misreporting. Nigerian officials incorrectly claimed the program would create special visa pathways, while Tanzanian media suggested Japan had “dedicated” entire cities to African nationals. These mischaracterizations spread rapidly through social media, creating unfounded fears about mass immigration.

Japanese municipalities were soon overwhelmed with concerned calls, and online platforms filled with xenophobic rhetoric targeting both Japan and African nations. By September 25, JICA was forced to withdraw the project entirely, but not before anti-immigration protests erupted in Kisarazu on September 26.

The backlash in Japan reflects deeper societal tensions around immigration. Recent statistics from Japan’s National Police Agency show that foreigners are overrepresented in certain crime categories, with the clearance rate for accomplice cases involving foreign visitors approximately 3.3 times higher than those with Japanese defendants. Shoplifting by foreign visitors, in particular, is reported at 6.7 times the rate of Japanese citizens.

These concerns have manifested politically. In July’s upper-house election, the right-wing populist Sanseito party, which has advanced anti-immigration narratives, gained significant support. The party openly opposed the African hometown program, and its supporters were prominent at anti-immigration demonstrations.

Similar patterns are emerging in Australia, where sophisticated disinformation campaigns are leveraging artificial intelligence to spread xenophobic content. An investigation by AAP FactCheck uncovered networks of AI-generated avatars distributing videos alleging a “migrant invasion” and promoting anti-immigration rallies across multiple social media platforms.

Two prominent accounts—LoveMyAu featuring professional-looking female avatars, and SaltyHypsi showcasing young men in military attire—have been particularly active in organizing anti-immigration demonstrations throughout October.

Daniel Ghezelbash, director of the Kaldor Centre for International Refugee Law, notes that immigrants and refugees frequently become scapegoats for broader economic pressures. Rising housing costs, inflation, and job insecurity create fertile ground for anti-immigrant sentiment, despite substantial evidence of immigrants’ positive economic contributions.

While Australia and Japan have distinct immigration histories and demographic challenges—Japan facing severe population decline while Australia has traditionally relied on immigration for growth—both nations are experiencing similar patterns of misinformation disrupting public discourse.

The consequences extend beyond policy debates. When immigration discussions become infected with falsehoods, they can normalize violence against minority communities and erode social cohesion. In Japan, the Kurdish community in Kawaguchi, Saitama prefecture—residents since the 1990s—has faced increasing hostility and blame for local disturbances.

Experts recommend several approaches to counter these trends. “Pre-bunking”—the practice of proactively addressing common falsehoods before they spread widely—can help maintain fact-based discourse. Engaging trusted community institutions to identify emerging narratives early and provide accurate context is also crucial.

Ultimately, strengthening economic security and addressing legitimate social concerns may be the most effective way to build resilience against division. When citizens feel secure in their own futures, they are less susceptible to narratives that blame immigrants for societal problems.

As both Japan and Australia navigate these challenges, the integrity of their immigration debates will depend on how effectively governments, media, and civil society can collaborate to counter misinformation while fostering honest conversations about immigration policy.