Policy Manifesto List

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• We will improve the environment for accepting foreign nationals to realize multicultural coexistence by establishing a centralized consultation service. We will also promote the use of the technical internship system and the specified
  skills system, and respond to the labor shortage of small and medium-sized businesses, etc. (p.23)
• Improve the system for accepting returnee students and foreign nationals in public schools. (p.21)

1. Liberal Democratic Party “Reiwa 3-year policy BANK”

• [Priority Policy] The current system of refugee status recognition, detention, and repatriation should be overhauled, and a new system of refugee status recognition and protection should be established…based on international rules such
  as the Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, to which Japan is a member.
• We aim to enact a bill for the protection of refugees and others that includes the establishment of a “Refugee Protection Committee,” a third-party organization independent of the government. (a, p.26)
• [Priority Policy] We will improve and make the immigration control and refugee status recognition systems transparent.
• We will promote initiatives for multicultural harmony. (a, p.61)
• Release of surveillance camera footage and related materials in the case of the death of Sri Lankan national Ratnayake Liyanage Wishma Sandamali (b, (5))

Policy for a Multicultural Society (Foreigners) (a, p.26-29)

• Enactment of the Basic Law and Establishment of the Multicultural Society Agency:
  • Enactment of the Basic Law for the realization of a multiculturally convivial society.
  • Formulation and implementation of a basic plan for a multiculturally convivial society at the national and local levels.
  • Establishment of an Agency for Multicultural Conviviality and promotion of integrated policies.
• Labor, Education, and Community Exchange:
  • Drastic reform of the system for accepting foreign workers and guarantee/protection of their rights.
  • Support measures to improve the Japanese language and communication skills of foreign workers.
  • Support and cooperation with local governments.
  • Guarantee of education for foreign children.
  • Ensuring social security.
  • Resident autonomy and multicultural harmony.
  • Promotion of multicultural education and human rights education.
• Elimination of discrimination:
  • Individual reporting system.
  • Establishment of a human rights institution independent of the government.
  • Strengthen measures against hate speech.
• Drastically review the current Technical Internship Training Program (TITP) and “Work Permit System for Foreign Students”, etc., and establish a new licensing system for foreign employment/labor. (a, p.12)
• Provide foreign women with information in multiple languages and improve the environment so that they can connect to consultation services. (a, p.23)
• Promote the study of how foreign nationals should participate in politics. (a, p.30)
• It is important to create an environment in which citizens and foreign residents can live together while respecting their human rights. The basic principles are “to create a society that is inclusive of foreign residents based on
  respect for human rights” and “to give consideration to changes in the socioeconomic situation due to the increase in foreign residents. (a, p.65)
• Based on this legislation, the national government, prefectures, and municipalities will establish basic plans for measures such as (1) prohibition of discrimination, (2) development of consultation systems, (3) education and
  awareness, (4) facilitation of daily life, and (5) securing of educational opportunities. (a, p.65)
• In order to attract needed foreign human resources not only to metropolitan areas but also to rural areas where it is difficult to secure human resources, the government will provide institutional and financial support to local
  governments and other organizations that work on securing human resources, providing livelihood support, and developing one-stop centers with multilingual support. (a, p.65)
• Support local governments that are increasingly dealing with foreign residents by supporting exchange programs in communities, workplaces, and schools, and securing opportunities for Japanese language education. (a, p.65)
• Develop public support for all foreign children to attend school and improve their Japanese language education while respecting their mother tongue and culture. (a, p.75)

1. a: Constitutional Democratic Party “Policy Collection 2021”
2. b: First pledge “Representative Edano announces seven items” matters to be decided immediately by the first cabinet meeting after the inauguration of the administration
   “Fukuyama secretary-general interview”

• The prolonged detention in immigration detention facilities has become an urgent issue. In order to solve this problem, the Government of Japan will work to improve the system and its operation by considering alternative measures to
  detention and promoting the development of an appropriate medical care system in immigration detention facilities. (p.48)
• The stabilization and reconstruction of Afghanistan is extremely important for the peace and stability of the region and the international community (omission) While carefully monitoring the situation in Afghanistan, the Government of
  Japan will continue to provide support for the safe movement of Japanese nationals and local officials who wish to leave the country, as well as humanitarian assistance to displaced people, in close cooperation with the United States,
  relevant countries, and the United Nations. (p. 63)

• We aim to create a society where everyone can live with peace of mind by promoting multilingual support so that foreign residents can reach the appropriate information. (p.25)
• Strengthen support for kindergartens and nursery schools so that they can function as local receptacles for children with special care needs, such as foreign nationals and children with medical care needs. (p.39)
• We aim to establish night junior high schools in all prefectures and ordinance-designated cities within five years, as they play an important role in ensuring learning opportunities for those who have never attended school and foreign
  residents. (p.41)
• We will improve the opportunities for foreign residents and their children to learn Japanese.
• In addition, to ensure the health of foreign children, we will promote health and hygiene measures in schools for foreigners. (p.41)
• We will promote the development of laws that enable consumers with insufficient knowledge, experience, and judgment, such as young people, the elderly, people with disabilities, and foreigners, to cancel contracts. (p.48)
• In order to understand the actual situation of stateless children and to support them in acquiring nationality, a consultation system will be established. (p.48)
• Toward the realization of a harmonious society in which no one is left behind, we aim to build a society in which all foreign nationals residing in Japan can receive detailed support, including the training of specialists who can
  provide assistance. In addition, in order to ensure that information can be delivered appropriately in times of emergency, we will promote the enhancement of Japanese language education and multilingualization, and aim to build an
  information provision system that prevents isolation from the information. (p.48)
• We will realize the granting of local government suffrage to permanent foreign residents who were born and raised in Japan and are fulfilling their tax obligations. (p.48)
• We will also promote the study of welfare shelters to meet the diverse needs of people in need, evacuation with pets, support for foreign residents, and the operation of evacuation shelters by private businesses. (p.54)

1. Komeito “2021 House of Representatives Election Manifest Policy Collection”

Drastic reform of the immigration and refugee administration (a):

• In order to clarify the truth about the death of Ms. Wishma, information and the truth will be made public, and a third party independent of the immigration officials will conduct an investigation.
• Drastic revision of the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act, including a cap on the period of detention and involvement of the judiciary in physical restraint.
• Revise the refugee recognition process in accordance with the guidelines of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to better reflect the actual situation of refugees. The administration of refugee recognition
  should be separated from the Immigration Bureau and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and be conducted by an independent administrative body.
• In order to stabilize the status of children who grew up in Japan and other undocumented people who have been living in Japan for a long time, we will relax and clarify the requirements for special permission for residence.

In order to guarantee the human rights of foreign nationals, we call for a fundamental revision of the Immigration Control Act (b):

• Change the system of detaining foreigners based on the judgment of the Ministry of Justice, and require a judicial judgment for detention. Set an upper limit on the period of detention. Expand the system of provisional release for
  those detained in immigration facilities.
• Separate refugee administration from the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Agency and establish an independent Refugee Protection Committee.
• We will make the special permission system more flexible, taking into account the individual circumstances of each foreigner. Work permits for short-term status will be expanded. Establish a livelihood support system for foreign
  nationals seeking residence status, such as refugee applicants.

We urge the Japanese government to play a proactive role as a developed country in the refugee crisis (b).

• Appropriately accept refugees in response to the Syrian refugee crisis.
• The Japanese government should cooperate with international organizations, regional organizations, and NGOs to drastically strengthen its support for countries around the region where Syrian and Afghan refugees are staying.
• Japan should contribute to eradicating the root causes of the refugee crisis, especially by playing a diplomatic role in resolving conflicts, as befits a country with a peaceful constitution.
• Drastically improve the Japanese government’s refugee recognition process (b).

Abolish the technical training system and protect the rights of foreign workers (a)

• We will protect the basic human rights of foreign nationals and their rights as workers based on the Constitution and the Labor Standards Law.
• We will abolish the Technical Internship Training Program (TITP). The revised Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act, which uses foreign nationals as the adjustment valve for employment, will be drastically revised to protect
  human rights, including the right to accompany family members.
• We will promote initiatives to realize a truly harmonious society, including the establishment of one-stop consultation centers and the expansion of Japanese language education.
• With the help of the Hate Speech Elimination Act, we will promote efforts to eradicate hate speech from society (a).
• Promote measures to guarantee a humane life for foreign workers under the “Specially Designated Skill” system (b).
• Promote measures to guarantee a humane life for foreign workers (b).
• Foreigners’ Technical Internship System: Oppose the easy expansion of the system and call for a fundamental review, including the abolition of the system (b).
• Grant local government suffrage to permanent foreign residents (b).

1. General election policy: “Above all, life.”
2. b: “2021 General Election Sectoral Policy List: 69, Foreigner Issues”

• While paying attention to the issue of disguised refugees, we will address the refugee issue from a humanitarian perspective based on the concept of the SDGs by strengthening support for refugees and refugee claimants, including
  medical care and food, and improving the refugee application process. (243)

• In addition to capturing income and assets through such measures as making it compulsory to link my number to all bank accounts, the system will also link family registers, real estate registrations, and foreign resident management,
  and realize the implementation of transparent, fair, and speedy administrative measures, including the expansion of one-stop services and the prompt provision of benefits in times of emergency. (36)
• While paying due attention to freedom of expression, the Government of Japan will not tolerate so-called “hate speech” on the basis of ethnicity or nationality (including speech targeted at Japanese people). (239)
• In addition to promoting the residence management of foreign workers using the My Number Card, the Government of Japan will promote coexistence with foreign residents through such measures as multilingual support of the administration
  using AI chatbots and AI translation. (241)
• Investigate the actual situation of the technical internship system for foreigners, and promote the appropriate acceptance of foreign workers by drastically improving the situation where foreign workers have been used as a “means to
  adjust the supply and demand of labor. (242)
• From the perspective of security, we will not allow the granting of foreign government power in elections or referendums at all levels, while promoting the further streamlining and simplification of naturalization procedures for
  permanent foreign residents who wish to become naturalized citizens. (244)
• Improve information dissemination in times of disaster and multilingual support at evacuation centers. (263)

1. Nippon Ishin no Kai “Policy Proposal Restoration Eight Measures 2021”

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• Develop anti-hate speech laws and enact laws that prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, or origin. (p.16)
• We will strengthen support for local governments and other organizations to secure human resources in local areas, which are facing difficulties, and to develop one-stop centers that can handle a variety of languages. (p.16)

1. “Priority Policy for the Democratic Party for the People”

• We will prevent human rights violations in immigration detention facilities. We will tackle the problem of the extremely low refugee status recognition rate and create a society in which immigrants and refugees can live in harmony with Japan, rather than being excluded.

• We have proposed the enactment of a comprehensive anti-discrimination law that would establish an effective human rights relief body independent of the government.
• Enact the Basic Law for Foreign Residents, which will serve as the foundation for accepting foreign nationals in order to achieve a drastic solution. The law will clearly state the rights and duties of foreigners living in Japan, Japanese language education, and support for daily life.
• We will realize local government suffrage for foreign residents.

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Prevent human rights violations against foreign nationals residing in Japan (a, p.4-5)

• Eliminate human rights violations in immigration facilities and prevent “family division” among foreign residents: Introduce a decision by judicial review on detention in immigration facilities and set a strict time limit for detention.
• In order to prevent the recurrence of a series of human rights violations against detainees, such as the Wishma case, an independent “Third Party Committee” will be established and measures will be taken to prevent a recurrence.
• Improve the laws and systems so that family fragmentation will not occur, taking into account the best interests of the child and the right to family unity guaranteed by the UN Covenant on Civil Liberties.
• Establish an independent “Refugee Recognition Committee” to recognize refugees. The main body for refugee status recognition will be moved from the Minister of Justice to the independent “Refugee Protection Committee”.

We will prevent human rights violations against foreigners residing in Japan (a, p.5-6).

• Abolish the Technical Internship Training Program (TITP) which has a history of violation of human rights.
• Enact a law that guarantees the rights of foreign residents, such as guaranteeing their working environment and salary level, reasonable consideration in multiple languages to inform them of the legal system, and cultural uniqueness.
• Establish minimum standards of protection for civil, economic, political, social, and labor rights. Foreign schools (including Korean schools) should be included in the list of schools eligible for free tuition.

Thoroughly protect workers. Foreign workers are not the enemy. The enemy that must be eliminated is the “competition to sell labor cheaply. (b, p.7-8)

• Protect both the treatment of domestic workers and the rights of foreign workers. We must apply the same wages and labor standards as Japanese workers and eliminate the acceptance of “low-cost foreign workers”.
• We will extend the principle of equal pay for work of equal value to all workers, regardless of ethnicity or nationality, in conjunction with active employment expansion policies.
• Create a system that allows one-third to one-half of the participants to participate in the deliberation and review process of policy making regarding minorities such as the disabled, the elderly, children, the needy, NEETs, shut-ins, LGBT people, disaster victims, and foreigners, as well as in the administrative monitoring bodies that enforce the system. (d, p.1)

1. a: “Security Policy for a True Independent State (Reiwa Foreign Policy)”
2. b: “Reiwa Labor Policy”
3. c: “Reiwa Disability Policy”
4. d: “Realize political breakthroughs for some stakeholders”