Photo/Illutration Shizuoka Governor Yasutomo Suzuki speaks during an anti-xenophobia and misinformation project meeting of the National Governors’ Association in the Shizuoka prefectural office building on Nov. 11. (Akifumi Nagahashi)

The National Governors' Association drafted a joint statement on Nov. 11 to counteract the nationwide spread of xenophobia and social media misinformation that includes the sentiment "As foreigners increase, so does crime."

Headed by Shizuoka Governor Yasutomo Suzuki, the project team behind the draft hopes it will ease anxieties regarding international residents.

It is scheduled to be approved at a meeting between all 47 of Japan's governors who represent the 46 prefectures and Tokyo on Nov. 26.

The association has so far requested the central government to compile a basic plan for accepting non-Japanese nationals, enact a fundamental law on multicultural coexistence measures and establish an organization dedicated to overseeing the issue.

DENOUNCEMENT OF XENOPHOBIA

Three pillars make up the document titled the “Joint declaration by governors nationwide aiming to realize a multicultural society (tentative).”

The first seeks the "promotion of multicultural coexistence" by advocating measures that will support community building between Japanese citizens and foreign residents. 

It vows to “strongly reject exclusivism and xenophobia based on information not grounded in facts or data.” It also calls for “calm discussions based on realistic evidence and concrete measures, without relying on impressions.”

Following this is a tenant of “coexistence based on rules and ensuring peace of mind.” This declares that multiculturalism “does not mean the disorderly acceptance or preferential treatment for foreigners.” 

It emphasizes efforts to provide information and consultation, including matters such as garbage disposal and noise, to ensure international residents can properly understand rules; also included is the intent to promote Japanese-language learning opportunities. 

The third point zeroes in on “accurate and proactive information dissemination” and points out that foreigners have become “indispensable members of the community” in terms of manpower to offset population decline. 

Sectors mentioned range from manufacturing, services and construction to the medical, nursing care and welfare fields.

This pillar notes that the number of foreigners convicted of crimes has been trending downward as the country's international population grows. It seeks to dispel public fears and encourage information dissemination so citizens can engage in discussions based on facts.

At a meeting held at the end of July, the association compiled a proposal calling on the central government to improve the environment for accepting foreign nationals.

“From the perspective of local governments, foreigners are the same ‘residents’ and ‘community members’ as Japanese,” it reads.

Some members also suggested that the association issue a statement to address growing concerns over the rise in foreign residents during that meeting. This followed the far-right Sanseito party's success in the July Upper House election after it called for stricter regulations on screening foreigners.

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