Shizuoka Governor’s proposal to promote coexistence with foreigners met with backlash. Received many emails and phone calls saying “It’s wrong to use tax money foreigners” and “It’s unfair to treat Japanese people badly”

At a national governors’ meeting in late July in Aomori City, Shizuoka Governor Heita Kawakatsu proposed policies to promote coexistence with foreigners, which prompted a backlash. By the morning of the 18th, the prefectural government had received around 200 critical emails and phone calls. Many expressed concerns about taxpayer money being used for foreigner support and perceived neglect of Japanese citizens.

Governor Kawakatsu’s proposal, which he led a project team to develop, highlighted that language education and living support for foreign residents have been left to local governments. The proposal urges the national government to see foreigners not just as workers but as residents, advocating for a comprehensive basic law and a leading organization for multicultural policies.

A representative from the prefecture’s Multicultural Affairs Division expressed concern that rejecting a multicultural society could lead to xenophobia.