Japan for the first time is making immigration one of its most important election campaign issues.

Smaller right-wing populist parties are stirring up sentiment against migrant workers ahead of the Upper House elections scheduled for July 20.

Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba’s government has also jumped on the issue, with Mr Ishiba announcing that a cabinet team would meet next week to address challenges related to foreign residents.

The government spokesman said this on Tuesday.

“The realisation of an orderly society that also includes foreign residents is one of the most important political tasks the government must face,” the spokesman was quoted by the Kyodo news agency as saying.

According to recent surveys, the minority government of Mr Ishiba’s Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and the smaller Komeito party is at risk of losing its majority in the Upper House.

A poor election result could put Mr Ishiba under pressure as party and government leader within his LDP.

In Japan, which prides itself on its homogeneous society, only three per cent of the 124 million inhabitants are foreigners.

However, due to a labour shortage resulting from an ageing society, their number is increasing significantly.

Last year, it rose by 10.5 per cent to a record of around 3.8 million.

Additionally, there has been a boom in foreign tourists. 

(dpa/NAN)