Why This Topic Landed in Japan

The two stories hit an awkward contradiction in Japan's immigration mood: many net users don't want more foreign workers, yet the news said foreign workers increasingly don't want Japan. Mynavi Global's survey of foreign residents found those wanting to work in Japan five years or more fell to 61.6% (down 14.7 points), with the weak yen and rising wages back home cited as drivers — a blow to the assumption that Japan can keep buying cheap labor. Meanwhile, a clip of the LDP calling Nigeria "a hugely important country, with the largest population and GDP" (from a TICAD-related meeting after policy chief Takayuki Kobayashi's visit) recirculated on X and blew up, read as a plan to source workers from Africa now that Asian workers are turning away — although the visit's stated focus was LNG and resource-supply diversification.

Key Reaction Themes

  • Self-deprecating realism about Japan's decline — Comments tied the drop directly to the weak yen, stagnant wages, and fiscal constraints, concluding Japan is no longer an attractive place to earn.
  • Fierce resistance to expanded immigration — The Nigeria framing triggered warnings about public safety and accusations that the LDP is a "Liberal Immigration Party" selling the country out.
  • Broad anti-government venting — Many comments broadened into general attacks on the government's economic record, citing GDP, tax-burden, and birth-rate figures.

What Japanese Netizens Are Saying

Sharp drop in foreigners wanting to work in Japan long-term

A Mynavi Global survey found "want to work in Japan 5+ years" fell 14.7 points to 61.6%, with the weak yen cited as a key driver.

Sources: Nikkei

Comments:

  • "Too much deficit-financing debt means we can't raise rates like other countries. Because we can't raise rates, the yen gets carry-traded. Hence the weak yen."
  • "Don't bring people from poor places, crime will rise. Companies that lobby the government to bring in foreigners should take responsibility and pay damages."
  • "Might be wrong, but could the LDP's push to attract Nigerians possibly be for this?"
  • "The LDP really has wrecked Japan this thoroughly: no workers, no tourists, can't have kids, wages low, prices high, criminals increasing, criminals released without indictment. What's next?"
  • "The real aim of the weak yen — could it be this?"
  • "Japanese: 'We don't need gaijin. Go home!' Foreigners: 'No way I want to work in Japan!' Keidanren: 'Scatter more money! Just raise taxes for the funding!' Japanese government: 'Dear foreigners! Please come! We'll give you money!' Foreign criminals: 'Then let's eat the place dry lol' Nobody ends up happy."
  • "Japan basking in the weak yen while the noose keeps tightening."
  • "We've become so much poorer than under the DPJ government. Why do people support the LDP? 2012 → 2026 ■ GDP $6.33T → $4.38T (↓31%) ■ National burden rate 39.9% → 45.7% (↑15%) ■ Total fertility rate 1.41 → 1.14 (↓20%) ■ Engel coefficient 23.5% → 28.6% (↑22%)"
  • "Back then lots of people couldn't find jobs. University new-grad employment rate: 2010 60.8%, 2023 75.9%. Unemployment rate: 2011 4.6%, 2024 2.5%."

LDP remarks calling Nigeria "a hugely important country" ignite backlash

Remarks from a TICAD-related LDP meeting recirculated on X and were read as an immigration push, sparking a firestorm.

Comments:

  • "If you're going to say that, China is dangerous too."
  • "Choosing a dangerous country on purpose — makes you think there really are spies, traitors, or hostile states on the inside. Absolute garbage."
  • "Japan is a paradise for spies."
  • "Are they going to bring in Nigerian immigrants en masse?"
  • "Public safety there is rough, but their tech skills comfortably surpass Japan's. Better not underestimate them, you know?"
  • "Do they want foreign countries to invade Japan or something?"
  • "You were fearmongering about naphtha and maybe already forgot, but Nigeria is a major oil producer too, you lousy staff writer 🥴"
  • "Thank you, Liberal Immigration Party."
  • ">Chair of the Japan-AU friendship parliamentary league, Rep. Ichiro Aisawa — that title is the part that matters…"
  • "They want slaves way too badly."