Changes to immigration policy in Japan : a chance to secure economic growth?

The aim of the article is to analyse changes in the immigration policy of Japan since 2012. The main reasons for undertaking such research are twofold. Firstly, it is the rapid decline in Japanese population. Secondly, it is a complex plan of economic revitalisation published by the government, in which immigration policy is one of the important components. The assumptions made in the article concern the current changes to immigration laws that constitute a substantial yet insufficient step towards transforming the perception of immigrants. The success of this policy is equally dependent on the change of attitude towards immigrants among Japanese people. Hence, the government should introduce certain initiatives aimed at changing this largely negative approach. With regards to methodology, mixed methods have been applied. From a quantitative perspective, statistics published by the Japanese Immigration Bureau and Ministry of Justice have been implemented. As for qualitative methods, official documents and reports as well as changes to the law have been analysed.