RResidents in Japan

Political situation in Japan

  • January 27, 2026

TLDR: should foreigners (long term) be worried about the direction politics is going in or is the internet painting a false impression and we’re all good in reality

Hi folks. Long term resident here. Just looking at the news and social media, Japanese politics seems to be going in a xenophobic/nationalist direction. However, my question is: how bad is it really? What is Japan really gearing up to do? What are the implications

I spoke to my wife about it as I’m particularly worried about what our daughter (half white, half Japanese) here could face in the future or whether it might get tougher for me to renew my visa or buy property in the future etc but was told that it’s “just weirdos on the internet and it’s not in real life.” Says “it can’t impact u doing anything here here cuz ur married to Japanese.”…..

She seems not worried at all, and she def would be if she thought our daughter could face issues. I am guessing she thinks the real problem is me overreacting. She’s nice so she doesn’t say it but she’s kinda smiling and joked “they’ll kick you out if you don’t listen to your wife” … lol

Makes me feel I’m overreacting and like an idiot so now I can’t discuss it with her

Also i am not one to discuss politics with friends etc and I think it would be weird if I suddenly started talking to my drinking buddies about this so I’m asking you all

I admit I’m frustrated and scared, especially considering I’m so tied to the country with property and a kid here.

by Old-Season265

14 comments

  3. While yes, weirdos on the internet amplifies all the problems, but considering recent discussion and frequency of it in the media, combined with these weird policy proposals, we are here to see biggest decline of foreigners’ acceptance related to policies (at the same time within society), since this system was established in the 90s.

    While Japan, hopefully, will not turn into what US doing with ICE and so on, but future prospects are not that positive. Further this is amplified by economic uncertainty that makes Japan turn more inwards or look for escape goats. With the later on being well discussed in the media instead of solving real economic problems.

    Honestly, Japan will not become hostile towards foreigners, but life will not be easier and/or more attractive especially for new residents here. Except if there would be fundamental change in policies and Japan would finally start to solve real economic problems rather than chasing whom to blame short-term.

  4. I hate Sanseito, but their stated target for immigration is 10%, which would be a five fold increase in foreigners.

  5. The pendulum of societal progress always swings. Staring at it won’t change anything; it will eventually settle back into its natural rhythm. This is how societies function.

    Meanwhile, the average Japanese person juggles mortgages, food prices, work stress, cars, children, and aging parents every single day.

    Foreigners are simply background noise. You’re not a priority, not under constant scrutiny, and not even in the top ten things most Japanese worry about.

  6. I think you’re overreacting.
    Just stay away from x, reddit, and yahoo news.

    Sanseito has an approval rating of 2.6% in the latest poll. They’ve also toned down their platform and now trying to distance themselves from anti-foreigner bigotry.

    Good or bad, things change very slowly in Japan, and I’d imagine not much will have changed 10 years from now.

  7. Some things in Japan were set up for Japanese people and some foreigners have been abusing the system and generating resentment.

    Yes there are some opportunistic people in Japan who use that to get attention.

    For those of us who are on valid visas, pay our taxes, and don’t break laws, it’s a good thing that Japan is cracking down on abuse.

  8. Basically, you should be worried, but now isn’t the time for serious worry.

    Now’s the time to think about Plan B’s and get your affairs rock-solid. If for whatever reason you can’t(eg, no time to learn japanese, bad financial situation, are in arrears) – it’s time to prioritize those Plan B’s.

    Should you totally freak out since you’re married to a japanese and have kids and a life here? No, you’re about last on the list of people they’re going to fuck with. However, you should be taking into account how entrenched ultranationalism(not quite at this stage yet) might make your and your family’s life harder.

    Since you own property, you will likely be asked to retroactively register your nationality at some point – imo not a good sign, but again you’re about last on the list of people they wanna mess with, since messing with you(and others married to citizens) will piss those citizens off.
    Not that that’s stopped Trump from fucking with people with foreign spouses though…(again though, he fucked with them *after* he fucked with everyone else and there were clear signs things were heading in a giga-fucked direction like travel bans and upticks in unjust immigration actions, ***you should be following these things in japan. look for stories of visas being unduly rejected on socials, follow the news, network with other foreigners of similar status, etc***.)

    It will probably be harder to get PR for you if you don’t have a good level of japanese or any kind of financial or social instability, and who knows what will happen in the future.

    TL;DR you’re probably good but be ready if things suddenly get crazy

  10. Nobody knows the future for sure. But I believe it’s just a coping phase for Japan trying to balance anxiety and fear of societal change with economical needs.

    In the end, the economy wins. Poverty would be worse.

  11. I would worry if you’re in some sort of government funded position i.e university

  12. Mixed race and foreign kids have been getting bullied forever. It’s far better now than ever because people are getting used to them. 

  13. Japan is facing a lot of problems recently. Or rather, they are facing the increasingly worsening conditions as a result of ignoring causes to problems for so long.

    Foreigners are an easy scape goat to point do while still not finding real solutions. 

    I would say you should stay aware of the situation,  but not be worried about it. Make sure your visa is in order and you have your payments etc in check and you will be fine.

Comments are closed.