Key Facts
• July 20: Upper House election highlights ‘foreign resident issues’ as a key topic.
• Over 20% of Ikuno Ward’s population consists of foreign residents, the highest in Osaka.
• Residents in Ikuno Ward represent roots from 78 countries and regions.
• A multicultural event was held in a repurposed school to promote understanding.
• Activities included multilingual storytelling and workshops in Korean, Nepali, and more.
• NPO ‘Ikuno Multicultural Flat’ aims to foster mutual understanding among residents.
• Representative Morimoto Miyako emphasizes the importance of building a ‘coexistence society.’
• Some political parties advocate stricter regulations on foreign residents.
• Social media sees a rise in discriminatory misinformation against foreign residents.
• A man with an Ethiopian wife calls for open dialogue and mutual respect.
Summary
As Japan’s Upper House election approaches on July 20, the issue of foreign residents has emerged as a significant topic. In Osaka’s Ikuno Ward, where over 20% of the population is foreign-born, a multicultural event was held to promote understanding among residents of diverse backgrounds. Organized by the NPO ‘Ikuno Multicultural Flat,’ the event featured multilingual storytelling and workshops, highlighting the area’s diversity with roots from 78 countries. Representative Morimoto Miyako stressed the importance of fostering a ‘coexistence society’ to counter division and discrimination. Meanwhile, some political parties advocate stricter regulations on foreign residents, fueling misinformation on social media. A local man with an Ethiopian wife urged for open dialogue and mutual respect, emphasizing the need to normalize diversity in society.
