This document summarizes Japan's immigration policy and the conflicting pressures it faces. Historically, Japan favored a homogeneous society and avoided foreign labor. However, factors like an aging population, labor shortages, and globalization are pushing for more open immigration. At the same time, concerns over security and crime are prompting stricter controls. The government reformed policy in 1989 to facilitate skilled workers while maintaining the principle against unskilled labor. Recent amendments aim to reduce unauthorized residents due to perceptions they increase crime, such as through stricter entry exams and deportation procedures.

1. By Chikako Kashiwazaki, Keio University
Tsuneo Akaha, Monterey Institute of International Studies
November 2006
JAPANESE IMMIGRATION
POLICY: RESPONDING TO
CONFLICTING PRESSURES

2. Historical Background
 The Japanese are grudgingly acknowledging that their long-cherished sense of ethnic
homogeneity may be untenable under the forces of globalization and changing domestic
needs, including an aging population and growing labor shortages. Some social and
economic factors are pushing Japan toward a more open immigration policy, while other
factors, such as mounting concerns about public security and growing apprehensions about
international terrorism, are prompting Japan to adopt stricter immigration controls.
 Although the Japanese economy experienced labor shortages during the economic boom
in the 1960s, both the Japanese government and major corporations chose not to depend
on foreign labor. Instead, they pushed for automation in production. The low level of
immigration in the 1960s and 1970s later led analysts to adopt a rough division of
immigrants into two categories: "old comers," who have resided in Japan since before
1952, and their descendants, and "newcomers," referring primarily to foreigners who came
to Japan in or after the 1980s.
 The growing status of Japan as a major global and regional economic player was the
background for the arrival of newcomers. The rise in the value of the yen, labor
shortages, and the development of transnational networks (including the activities of
migrant brokers) all contributed to a marked increase in foreign migrant workers in the late
1980s.
 The number of visa over stayers, who comprised the bulk of immigrant workers, grew from
100,000 in 1990 to 300,000 in 1993, and stood at around 207,000 as of January 2005. They
have come mostly from other Asian countries, such as Korea, China, the
Philippines, Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia.

3. Development on Policies
 The Immigration Control Law, originally enacted in 1952, provided the basic framework for immigration
policy in post The alien registration system served to monitor and control foreigners, whether newly
arriving or already residing for years in the country. The concept of foreign residents as members of
society was quite weak.
war Japan.
 A major turning point came in 1989, when the Japanese government embarked on reforming the
Immigration Control Law in response to growing cross-border population movements and a sharp rise in
the number of visa overstayers. The government reorganized visa categories to facilitate the
immigration of professional and skilled personnel, while confirming its basic principle of not accepting
"unskilled" foreign labor. Employer sanctions were also introduced to discourage "illegal" employment.
 Several themes have emerged in Japan's immigration policy in recent years. First, there is a growing
perception among the public that migrants, particularly those with unauthorized or questionable status
in the country, are contributing to the rising crime rate and general deterioration of public security. In
response, the government amended the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act in 2004 in
order to decrease the number of unauthorized foreign residents, currently estimated at about 250,000.
Due to the questionable claims by some that their presence has increased crime rates, the government
instituted a plan in December 2003 to halve the number of such persons in five years. Among other
measures, the plan calls for stricter examination of the status of residence upon entering the country,
 strengthened detection of illegal residents and more efficient deportation procedures,
 more pressure on foreign countries to exercise control over their nationals who have been
deported from Japan,
 expansion of immigration control personnel, and
 upgraded detention facilities and related equipment.