A Commission on Japan’s Goals for the 21st Century discusses the need to encourage immigration to Japan.

“To respond positively to globalization and maintain Japan’s vitality in the twenty-first century, we cannot avoid the task of creating an environment that will allow foreigners to live normally and comfortably in this country. In short, this means coming up with an immigration policy that will make foreigners want to live and work in Japan. Achieving greater ethnic diversity within Japan has the potential of broadening the scope of the country’s intellectual creativity and enhancing its social vitality and international competitiveness…

It would not be desirable, however, simply to throw open the gates and let foreigners move in freely. First of all we should set up a more explicit immigration and permanent residence system so as to encourage foreigners who can be expected to contribute to the development of Japanese society to move in and possibly take up permanent residence here. We should also consider preferential treatment for foreigners who study or conduct research in Japan—such as allowing them automatically to acquire permanent residence status when they complete their academic work at a Japanese high school, university, or graduate school.”

Source: “The Frontier Within: Individual Empowerment and Better Governance in the New Millennium,” Prime Minister’s Commission on Japan’s Goals in the 21st Century. January 2000. http://www.kisc.meiji.ac.jp/~yamawaki/gmj/debates.htm

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