TOKYO, Feb 07 (News On Japan) –
With three days remaining till voting and poll counting within the Lower House election, Saitama’s 2nd district centered on Kawaguchi City has drawn nationwide consideration as a frontline in Japan’s international resident coverage debate, the place a number of candidates are calling for stricter controls.
Kawaguchi has a inhabitants of roughly 608,000, of whom 53,790 are international residents, accounting for about 9% of the entire and making it the second-highest proportion amongst municipalities nationwide. A notable latest pattern within the metropolis has been a decline in Japanese residents alongside an increase in international residents.
Around Nishi-Kawaguchi Station, an space sometimes called a Chinatown, indicators prohibiting bicycle parking are posted in Chinese, English, and Vietnamese, reflecting the district’s rising range.
In the Kawaguchi mayoral election held on February 1st, two of the six candidates who ran on platforms opposing the acceptance of extra international residents collectively secured roughly 20% of the vote.
In the present Lower House race for Saitama’s 2nd district, 4 candidates from the Liberal Democratic Party, Nippon Ishin (Japan Innovation Party), the Democratic Party for the People, and Sanseito are competing. A comparability of get together pledges exhibits all are calling for stricter international resident insurance policies and stronger laws.
Running from Sanseito, which gained momentum within the 2025 Upper House election, is first-time candidate Sugano Shizuka, 37, who opposes what she describes as extreme acceptance of international residents. Sugano, a former elementary faculty instructor, resigned mid-term from the Kawaguchi metropolis meeting to hunt a seat in nationwide politics. Sugano mentioned: “I oppose the mass and excessive acceptance of immigrants. If we don’t put the brakes on this, Japan will continue to lose its balance.” She added that accepting too many international residents with out ample assist programs has led to friction with native communities, noting she acquired quite a few consultations about such points throughout her time as a metropolis council member. Sugano additionally argued that misinformation circulating on-line has broken Kawaguchi’s picture and referred to as for tighter regulation of false info.
From Nippon Ishin, incumbent Takahashi Hideaki, 62, is looking for a 3rd time period. Takahashi mentioned: “The issue of foreign residents has entered a new stage.” Although Ishin kinds a coalition with the LDP, Takahashi misplaced to the LDP candidate within the earlier Lower House election and returned to the Diet by way of proportional illustration. He mentioned that whereas Japan’s speedy inhabitants decline could require some reliance on international labor, “we cannot simply let people in indiscriminately.” Takahashi additionally criticized what he described because the LDP’s cautious stance, arguing that financial teams favor bringing in additional international employees and that Ishin would pursue reforms in areas the place the LDP has been reluctant to behave.
The LDP has fielded veteran lawmaker Shindo Yoshitaka, 68, who has been elected 9 occasions. Shindo, who heads the get together’s international resident coverage headquarters, mentioned the problem shouldn’t be left solely to native governments and that the nationwide authorities should take accountability. Shindo mentioned: “Illegal activities must be dealt with strictly. At the same time, we must update our foreign resident system to match today’s society. We have made such proposals to Prime Minister Takaichi as the LDP.” Preparations are additionally underway in Kawaguchi to determine a one-stop heart the place nationwide and native authorities will work collectively to handle international resident points. Shindo mentioned residents have expressed sturdy expectations for the middle, citing considerations over disturbances in every day life and emotions of unease, and mentioned the middle would function the first level of response.
From the Democratic Party for the People, Hosoya Hayato, 36, the youngest candidate within the race, can also be working. Drawing on expertise on the Foreign Ministry and a buying and selling firm, Hosoya is campaigning on diplomacy and safety coverage. Hosoya mentioned: “Kawaguchi is a hot-button issue, so we must respect local norms and ensure foreign residents follow the rules.” On coexistence with international residents, he confused the necessity to deepen understanding of Japan’s guidelines. Hosoya mentioned: “I draw a clear line from xenophobic thinking. This is not about simply driving foreign residents out. They must follow the rules, and to do so they need to understand them. Perhaps our efforts to help them understand those rules have not been sufficient.”