Get Tougher on Foreigners

The ruling center-right LDP is in the midst of a leadership campaign to replace outgoing PM Ishiba. The political establishment, and the ruling party in particular, was caught off-guard in July's parliamentary elections by far-right Sanseito, which posted significant gains. The latter ran on a populist, anti-foreigner platform and, frankly, that sells these days, especially among younger voters. So, it comes as no surprise that the LDP, determined to establish its cred with this voting bloc, has announced it, too, will get tougher on foreigners, tourists and residents alike. With stories like this a staple online, it's becoming harder to make a case for cooler heads to prevail.