Foreigners are an indispensable part of Japanese society. Please explain in detail what policies and public morals are needed to realize a society where we can coexist together.

 The recognition that foreigners are an indispensable part of Japanese society is increasingly vital, especially given Japan's declining birthrate and aging population. They contribute not only as a labor force but also by bringing cultural diversity, new perspectives, and vitality to society.¹ However, to truly realize a symbiotic society where Japanese and foreign residents can coexist harmoniously, comprehensive efforts are required on both policy and public moral fronts.

Policies Needed for Coexistence

1. Formulation of Comprehensive Long-Term Foreign Human Resources Strategies:

   • Acceptance as "People," not just Labor: Beyond merely supplying labor for specific industries, policies must adopt a long-term perspective that supports their entire lives, including family reunification, education, healthcare, and social security. This includes reviewing existing systems like the Technical Intern Training Program.

   • Attracting and Retaining Diverse Talent: Policies should aim to expand the acceptance of skilled professionals in a wide range of fields (e.g., nursing care, agriculture, construction) and create support systems that enable them to build careers and settle in Japan.

   • Fair Opportunities Regardless of Nationality or Visa Status: Policies are needed to eliminate discrimination in the labor market and ensure equitable opportunities for promotion and advancement based on ability.

2. Development of Infrastructure Promoting Multicultural Coexistence and Mutual Aid:

   • Enhanced Language Support: Thorough multi-lingualization of essential information for daily life (e.g., administrative procedures, medical services, disaster prevention) is crucial, along with expanding interpreter and translation services.² Utilizing AI translation should also be promoted.

   • Expanded Consultation Systems: Strengthen one-stop consultation centers at the local level to address issues faced by foreign residents (housing, work, childcare, legal problems), and cultivate specialized personnel to staff these centers.

   • Improved Access to Medical and Welfare Services: Develop medical institutions that can accommodate unique needs of foreign residents (e.g., religious considerations, cultural understanding) and facilitate the placement of medical interpreters. Equitable access to social security systems must also be ensured.

   • Improved Educational Environment: Strengthen the system for Japanese language education for foreign children and support their adaptation to the Japanese education system. Simultaneously, options for maintaining their mother tongue and culture should be guaranteed.

3. Thorough Guarantee of Human Rights and Prohibition of Discrimination:

   • Enactment/Strengthening of Anti-Discrimination Laws: Legally prohibit discrimination based on nationality, race, ethnicity, etc., and establish penalties for violations to promote more effective redress.

   • Enhanced Counter-Measures Against Hate Speech: Strengthen legal frameworks and awareness campaigns to strictly regulate hate speech against foreigners, both online and offline.

   • Establishment of Accessible Reporting and Consultation Mechanisms: Create channels where foreign residents who experience discrimination or harassment can safely seek advice or report incidents, and ensure that follow-up actions are taken appropriately.

Public Morals Needed for Coexistence

1. Fostering an Acceptance of Diversity and Dispelling Prejudices:

   • Promoting Multicultural Understanding Through Education: Incorporate curricula that foster respect for diverse cultures and values from an early age (in schools and at home). Experiential learning for intercultural understanding is also effective.

   • Role of Media: Media (news and entertainment) should avoid stereotypical depictions of foreigners and portray their lives and contributions from diverse perspectives to deepen public understanding.

   • Promoting Community Exchange: Actively create opportunities for regular interaction between foreign and Japanese residents (e.g., local festivals, volunteer activities, sports events) to deepen mutual understanding.

2. Strengthening the Spirit of "Mutual Help" and "Cooperation":

   • Reaffirming the Spirit of Mutual Aid: Re-recognize the Japanese societal value of "o-tagai-sama" (we're all in this together/help each other when in need) and extend this attitude to foreign residents.

   • Community Engagement as Residents: Emphasize that foreign residents are also members of the local community and encourage their active participation in community activities, disaster preparedness, etc., fostering a shared sense of responsibility.

   • Effort for Intercultural Understanding: It is crucial to make an effort to understand the other's culture and customs, rather than imposing one's own. Embrace dialogue to resolve misunderstandings arising from cultural differences.

3. Fostering a Sense of "Shared Responsibility":

   • Visibility of Foreigners' Contributions: Clearly communicate to the public how foreigners contribute to Japan's economy, society, and culture. This helps spread the recognition that "society cannot function without them."

   • Shared Ownership of Issues: From the perspective that foreign workers are also local consumers and taxpayers, it's important to raise awareness that the challenges they face are not just "their problem," but issues that affect "our society" as a whole.

Conclusion

Realizing a symbiotic society is not merely about "accepting" foreigners; it's about the entire nation actively "creating" an environment where they can live with peace of mind, fully utilize their abilities, and walk together as integral members of Japanese society. True coexistence will only be achieved through the combination of systematic policy guarantees, individual citizens' moral evolution, and concrete interactions at the community level.