Japan has long been known for its steadfast refusal to submit to the allure of large-scale immigration, as a country that puts social cohesion and societal harmony well ahead of any desire for diversity. Notoriously as hard to get into as Switzerland or Monaco for would be migrants, and even refugees, the ‘yokoso’ (welcome) sign that greets you at Narita Airport is clearly provisional and time limited.
But is all that changing? There are signs of a major shift in policy, from an active dissuasion of foreigners to stay (Japan once paid laid-off Brazilian auto workers to go back home for good after the financial crash) to the door being flung open and a tatami welcome mat being rolled out to the world.
According to government data released in August 2023, the number of foreign nationals in Japan rose 11 per cent from 2022. Foreigners now account for 2.4 per cent of the population (approximately 3 million people).
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