Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi to Launch New Cabinet Council on Foreign Nationals Policy First Meeting Expected Next Week to Discuss Land Ownership Regulations
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is set to establish a new cabinet-level council in the coming days to discuss policies concerning foreign nationals. The first meeting is expected to take place as early as next week. The council will explore potential legal revisions and institutional reforms, including regulations on real estate acquisitions by foreign nationals.
The new body, titled the Council for the Realization of an Orderly and Inclusive Society for Foreign Nationals, will be chaired by Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara and co-led by Economic Security Minister Kimi Onoda, who also oversees foreign nationals policy.
During the LDP leadership race, Prime Minister Takaichi advocated for stricter regulations on land purchases by foreigners. The coalition agreement between the Liberal Democratic Party and Nippon Ishin no Kai explicitly states that a bill to strengthen such regulations will be drafted for the 2026 ordinary Diet session.
The agenda is also expected to include measures against unpaid social insurance contributions and illegal overstays. The government will seek stricter enforcement of existing systems, such as the conversion of foreign driver’s licenses to Japanese ones, which has already undergone tighter regulation.
According to the Immigration Services Agency, the number of foreign residents in Japan reached a record high of approximately 3.95 million as of the end of June 2025. Illegal activities by some foreign nationals and conflicts with local communities have become a growing concern.
In her policy speech on October 24, Prime Minister Takaichi acknowledged, “It is true that there are sectors facing labor shortages where foreign workers are essential.” She emphasized the need to lay the groundwork for harmonious coexistence with foreign residents.
Source: Nikkei Shimbun. (2025, October 31), Establishment of a New Council on Foreign Nationals Policy First Meeting Expected Next Week to Discuss Land Acquisition Regulations.
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