The Sacred and the Stranger: Japan’s Growing Xenophobia

Japan is facing a new social and economic crossroads as tourism and foreign labor surge amid a demographic crisis. Rising xenophobia is feeding nationalist rhetoric, with political leaders blaming outsiders for everything from perceived disrespect at sacred sites to soaring property costs. At the same time, businesses and rural communities warn that hostility toward foreigners could undermine the very economy the country depends on. In this episode, we explore how Japan is balancing political opportunism, public resentment, and the practical necessity of international integration.https://www.economist.com/asia/2026/01/05/why-is-japan-souring-on-foreign-workers-and-tourists