As The Telegraph (2025/01/06) states, Foreign crime figures prove the folly of mass immigration, there are voices both at home and abroad that question the fact that crime rates among immigrants are higher than those of native citizens.
In recent years, Japan has been accepting many foreign workers and international students in order to promote globalization and alleviate labor shortages. However, as the number of foreign residents increases, crimes committed by foreigners are increasingly attracting attention. In particular, the media and some public opinion tend to believe that foreigners have a higher crime rate than Japanese people. However, some people question this view based on objective analysis based on data. In this article, we will consider both the positive and negative sides to the claim that foreign residents have a higher crime rate than Japanese people.
1.The positive stance that foreigners have a higher crime rate than Japanese people
(1) Proportion of crimes committed by foreigners in statistical data
Crime statistics published by the National Police Agency show that crimes committed by foreigners account for a certain percentage of crimes. In particular, the number of arrests of foreigners in certain crime areas, such as theft, fraud, and drug offenses, is said to be relatively high. For example, with the expansion of the Specified Skilled Worker System and the Technical Intern Training System, there have been reports of some foreigners who are dissatisfied with their working environment becoming involved in theft and violent crimes.
(2) Involvement of organized crime
In some cases, organized crime groups are involved in crimes committed by foreigners. For example, it has been pointed out that overseas criminal organizations are involved in crimes such as the production of counterfeit residence cards, broking illegal immigrants, and drug trafficking. This raises concerns that certain foreign communities could become hotbeds of crime.
(3) Differences in culture and values
Differences in culture and values can lead to a lack of understanding of laws and social norms, which can result in crime. For example, differences in perception of labor contracts and rules of life can cause trouble and develop into problematic behavior such as violence and theft. In particular, foreigners with low Japanese language skills may not be able to fully understand legal rules and may unknowingly break the law.
(4) Illegal residence and illegal employment
Foreigners who continue to stay illegally even after their visas have expired may resort to illegal means to earn a living. In particular, criminal activities such as illegal employment, prostitution, and drug trafficking are often encouraged by economic hardship and isolation. This situation is thought to be one of the factors driving up the crime rate among foreigners.
2.Negative stance against the idea that foreigners have a higher crime rate than Japanese people
(1) The actual crime rate is low
A dispassionate analysis of the statistical data from the National Police Agency shows that the overall crime rate among foreigners is by no means high. In fact, there is data that suggests that when the population ratio of foreign residents is taken into account, the crime rate is the same as or even lower than that of Japanese people. The reason why crimes committed by foreigners are attracting attention may be due to excessive reporting and manipulation of impressions by the media. Only certain incidents are emphasized, and there are many cases where people mistakenly believe that there are more crimes committed by foreigners than is actually the case.
(2) High arrest rate fuels prejudice
Foreigners stand out easily due to differences in language and culture, and tend to be targets of police crackdowns. As a result, foreigners are more likely to be arrested even if they are behaving in the same way as Japanese people. This bias may be contributing to the misconception that foreigners have a higher crime rate.
(3) The distinction between the quality and quantity of crime is unclear
In reality, most crimes involving foreigners are simple traffic violations and petty crimes, and the percentage of foreigners involved in serious crimes is low. However, because serious crimes are often covered in the media, the image that crimes committed by foreigners are serious crimes prevails. In reality, crimes committed by Japanese people are more serious in both number and content, but only crimes committed by foreigners tend to be emphasized.
(4) Social factors and working environment issues
Behind the crimes involving foreign workers and international students are factors such as poor working conditions and social isolation. Under the Technical Intern Training Program, harsh working conditions and unpaid wages are seen as problems, and in some cases these trigger criminal acts. This is not a problem of the qualities of the individual foreigners, but rather a result of the lack of acceptance systems and support on the part of Japanese society.
(5) Self-purification of the foreign community
Many expat communities build good relationships with the local community and actively work to prevent crime. In many cases, they establish rules and conduct crime prevention activities within the community to protect the reputation of their country. Such efforts are thought to have had a certain degree of effect in reducing crime.
3.Conclusion
There are both positive and negative opinions on the claim that the crime rate of foreign residents is higher than that of Japanese people. The positive side relies on statistical data, involvement in organized crime, and cultural gaps. On the other hand, the negative side cites bias in population ratios and arrest rates, and the existence of social factors, claiming that the impression given is different from the reality.
What is important is to look at the background and structural issues comprehensively, rather than judging only by numbers and reports. To prevent crime, it is essential to improve the system for accepting foreigners and support their social integration. From a fair and unbiased perspective, we need to create a society where foreigners and Japanese people can live together in peace.