Japan has always seemed to be unaffected by migration issues in the same way as other major developed economies. It doesn't have land borders with another country, of course, but there aren't any obvious neighbouring countries, and with the landscape limiting urban growth, less obvious impacts of migration. One element potentially limiting the arrival of migrants was a strict immigration policy. I know lots of people who have emigrated to other countries, but only one person who emigrated to Japan.However, there are actually quite a few migrant workers. One of the articles linked to below provides some figures:
Japan has about 1.28 million foreign workers - more than double the figure a decade ago and about 2 percent of the workforce. About 260,000 are trainees from countries such as Vietnam and China who can stay three to five years.
In December 2018, Japan changed its immigration rules. One reason for this of course is the declining and ageing population, which threatens to be a demographic time-bomb if projected a few decades into the future.
The decision was not a popular one.
This article has some further background on the bill and the possible consequences.
As a side issue, I love the name of this website: Global-is-Asian....
It's a news digest site, based in Singapore, which compiles relevant business stories related to Asian economies. It's created by the Lee Kuan Yew (the architect of Singapore's growth and success) School of Public Policy.
Here's their perspective on the battle to solve the problem of Plastic Waste for example.
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