I see this story being floated around, but it’s not what most think. The foreign minister is very unpopular and is known for putting his foot in his mouth. He didn’t say “mass” immigration, and foreigners voting was only a suggestion for permanent residents in local elections. https://twitter.com/prisonplanet/status/1331618798437355527

In the next 50 years, Japan will probably have a marginal increase in immigration, but it will never be like America or Western Europe. Most people who come here end up leaving by choice because of cultural or language differences. Those aren’t going to change.

The right-wing in Western countries have this odd obsession with Japan, but it’s really not the society they think it is. Japanese conservatism isn’t the same as American or British conservatism. There’s no Christian morality here. Nationalism isn’t really that strong either.

There is no second amendment in Japan. Regulations on businesses never end. Porn is everywhere and widely sold. Abortion is legal. Alcohol is widely consumed with little restriction. I really don’t think most Americans conservatives would enjoy living in Japanese society.

This also applies to Western leftists and their idealization of Japan. Immigration is among the strictest in the world. There is no regard for the concepts of micro-aggressions or “wokeness.” The justice system makes America’s look like a mild scolding in comparison.

I’ve said it many times, but Japan is Japan. Its politics and society are not American or Western. If you live here, you either take it or leave it. That should go without saying, but the amount of uninformed statements I hear from those who *don’t* live here never end.