Like last summer’s Upper House election, the Lower House election again has as one focus tightening policies toward foreigners.

As such, voters must evaluate the moves being made by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s administration to strengthen control and regulations even as the presence of foreigners increases in the daily lives of people.

There is a clash of views between those calling for stricter measures and those emphasizing coexistence and human rights.

The capaciousness of not only politicians, but each and every one of us, is being called into question.

On the day the Lower House was dissolved, the government announced its policy direction for foreigners that called for an orderly coexistence.

The government argued that the actions by some foreigners to violate laws and rules had led the general public to feel concerns and a sense of unfairness.

The announced........

© The Asahi Shimbun