Japan PM Must Address Anti-Foreigner Sentiment Ahead of Upper House Polls

Upstart party's 'Japanese First' rhetoric strikes a chord with public amid rising costs

- Walter Sim

TOKYO - The last thing a country's leader is expected to do is to publicly slag off the proud traditions of the nation. But Japan's Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba has caused a stir by seeming to have done just that on July 2, when he described Japanese language and customs as "very tedious".

The remark was made in the context of helping foreigners better assimilate into society and recognizing the need to ease immigration policies to plug Japan's growing labour shortfall, given its falling birth rates and an ageing population.

"We want foreigners to properly learn the 'very tedious' Japanese language and customs even at the expense of the Japanese government - and allow in only those who follow Japan's laws," he said, stressing that there is a place for foreigners who respect Japan's traditions.

Mr Ishiba was speaking at a debate between leaders of contesting political parties, held on the eve of Nomination Day for the July 20 Upper House election. Perhaps it was a backhanded attempt to seem relatable, but it has led to the piling of even more heat on a beleaguered leader who is already facing pressure from all sides.

Veteran lawmaker Ichiro Ozawa of the main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan (CDP) criticised Mr Ishiba, saying: "I cannot sense any reverence for the Japanese language, traditions or culture. These remarks will offend many citizens and are completely unbecoming of a prime minister."

But worse, Mr Ishiba's gaffe plays directly into the hands of the young upstart party Sanseito, which has made "Japanese First" its campaign slogan and struck a chord with the Japanese public in directly taking a leaf from the playbook of US President Donald Trump's Make America Great Again movement.