LDP candidates in LDP presidential race pushing for stricter foreign resident policies to win back conservatives who shifted to Sanseito

Candidates in Japan’s ruling LDP president race are increasingly showing support for stricter foreign resident and immigration policies. These issues were largely ignored in last year’s election but in Sept. 24 debate, several candidates pledged stricter measures, despite the government’s past promotion of foreign labor and inbound tourism. The shift reflects a clear attempt to win back conservative voters who drifted to Sanseito in the summer’s Upper House election.