All five candidates in the Liberal Democratic Party’s leadership race are calling for stricter measures on accepting foreign nationals but none has put forward an integration plan for those allowed in under existing policies.

Although the degree of emphasis varies among the five contenders, it is unusual for foreigner policy to become a focal point in an LDP presidential election.

The shift stems from soul-searching within the party after its crushing defeat in the Upper House election in July.

In its post-election review, the LDP concluded that overtourism and other issues had raised suspicions that the LDP-led government was giving preferential treatment to foreigners, causing part of the party’s support base to drift to upstart parties.

One of those parties was Sanseito, which made significant gains by campaigning on a “Japanese First” slogan and criticizing what it views as an excessive acceptance of foreigners.

At a news conference on Sept. 20 announcing his candidacy in the LDP election, farm minister Shinjiro Koizumi said the party had recently lacked the ability to sense the public’s sentiments. He cited the “anxiety” stemming from the increase in foreign residents as an example.

Koizumi was one of the four candidates who addressed the issue in their policy statements published in the LDP’s official newspaper.

He proposed bolstering a cross-ministerial command function to advance policy coordination, noting that anxiety is growing among residents in certain areas.

Sanae Takaichi, former minister in charge of economic security, also advocated a stronger command function, along with regulations on land acquisition by foreigners and enhanced measures against illegal overstayers.

Takayuki Kobayashi, another former economic security minister, listed measures that included restrictions on residential land purchases and stricter immigration controls.

Toshimitsu Motegi, who served as LDP secretary-general, stated that his goal is to achieve “zero illegal foreigners.”

The remaining candidate, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi, did not mention foreigner policy in his published statement.

But he highlighted his track record under the administration of outgoing Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, including tightening eligibility requirements for residency statuses.

Koizumi pledged to formulate an action plan by the end of the year, while Takaichi promised a comprehensive review from the ground up.

Although the overarching vision for each candidate’s policies remains unclear, their proposed measures overlap with existing government and LDP initiatives.

Successive LDP governments have promoted acceptance of foreign nationals in response to Japan’s declining population and labor shortages. The number of foreign workers, which stood at 480,000 in 2008, surpassed 2.3 million last year.

A turning point came in 2018, when the Shinzo Abe administration introduced the specified skilled worker program. It allows family accompaniment in certain sectors and effectively removes the upper limit on the length of stay.

Although the program was criticized in the Diet as a de facto immigration policy, the government has consistently denied the label.

In its foreigner policy proposal compiled this month, Nippon Ishin (Japan Innovation Party) blasted the government’s stance.

“While it is an immigration policy in substance that is aimed at permanent settlement, the government continues to insist that ‘it is not an immigration policy,’ thereby obscuring the challenges that must be confronted head-on,” the party said.

Yuichiro Tamaki, leader of the Democratic Party for the People, also wrote on the social media platform X last month, “The government refuses to acknowledge it as ‘immigration,’ offloading immigration-related measures onto local governments.”

During a public debate on Sept. 23, the LDP presidential hopefuls were asked about their views on immigration policy.

Koizumi said he does “not adopt” an immigration policy, while Kobayashi and Motegi both expressed opposition.

Although critics said the government and the LDP have delayed responses to pressing issues by denying they are pursuing an immigration policy, none of the candidates addressed this concern.

Last month, Justice Minister Keisuke Suzuki released a report calling for a fundamental review of foreigner policy.

The report pointed to the need for “social integration” policies that foster an understanding of Japanese language, culture and customs, alongside certain restrictions on acceptance.

Nippon Ishin’s proposal also stressed the importance of supporting foreigners in understanding and adapting to Japanese society, in addition to tighter regulations.

Discussions on the core issue of how to achieve social integration and coexistence with foreign nationals have been largely left by the wayside in the LDP leadership race.