Elbert John Honorica KAFIN Migrant Center November 24, 2026
In the past year, governments across the world imposed restrictions on immigration. Japan, despite its need for additional labor force amid a declining birthrate and an aging population, has been taking similar steps. In the political background, rightwing politicians have been advocating additional restrictive policies pointed towards foreign residents. Now, foreign residents and migrant workers are facing a possibility of major changes in the country’s immigration policy.
This study examines Japanese citizens’ perceptions of foreign residents and migrant workers against the background of restrictive policies, rise of xenophobic rhetoric, and fear-driven misinformation through social networking sites (SNS). A 38-item survey was designed to approximate attitudes toward migrants in the workplace, public spaces, and interpersonal domains. The results of the study show generally positive attitudes toward foreign workers especially on role and contribution to the economy though there were contradicting perceptions emerged on scale items pertaining to social and cultural integration. Predictor variables of age, location, and educational attainment comparisons were made.
Overall, the study highlights that simple interactions alone are insufficient to encourage genuine inclusion towards foreign residents and migrant workers. Instead, the quality, reciprocity, and range of interactions are crucial in transforming utilitarian and practical tolerance into meaningful social integration in Japanese society.
Keywords: Migrants, Japanese, perception, attitudes
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