I'm no expert in the Japanese language nor am I up-to-date with all the latest neologisms, semantic shifts or slang but, having moved to Osaka two years ago, I've heard the phrase "治安が悪い" been uttered more than usual yet I fail to see why.
Strictly following the meaning of the word, statistically crime in Japan, including crimes committed by foreigners, has been heading in a general downward trajectory with the exception of post COVID 2023 which saw a slight uptick in cases. For unreported crimes, those are hard to evaluate. Born in a foreign country with significantly higher levels of crime, perhaps the slight uptick in the overall low crime rate in Japan just floats over my head and thus I may be oblivious to the growing anxiety.
Now, if the meaning or use has changed or extends beyond just crime and includes matters such as increased poverty, economic uncertainty, weakening social security, increased social pressures etc. then I can see the angle but I can't say for certainty they are refering to above social issues in the strictest of sense.
Although I haven't quite experienced any significant discrimination here nor issues but, due to my suspicions for the above, I suspect the current use of the phrase carries some fairly anti-foreign undertone. Reason being, of late when the topic of crime and weakening social cohesion are raised, foreigners are unfairly brought into the limelight and seen as the reason for the above issues but perhaps I may just be paranoid.
Alternatively, it's just an Osaka thing with Osaka being ranked No#1 in crime. In the decade I've spent in Japan, I haven't experienced it till now but just recently a package I ordered shipped and sold from Amazon was marked as "delivered" but I never received it despite being at home. Either the courier mistook my address or someone poached it immediately after delivery. Around the time, I overheard someone briskly opening all the gas/water meter panels on my floor but I initially assumed it was an inspection but that no longer appear to be the case. Additionally, my first case experiencing true, utter road rage so happens to be in Osaka.
In my life, the folk who mentioned the phrase in question similarly also recently moved to Osaka, however, coincidentally some of them low-key carry varying degrees of prejudice against foreigners.
by Toki_day