Web Fragmentation Doubles Japanese Students' Negative Views of Foreigners, Stoking Polarization Risks

A 2025 national survey of middle school students revealed that more than 40 percent of respondents believe that an increase in the foreign population brings little benefit to Japanese society. This proportion is nearly double the approximately 20 percent recorded in 2022. Norihiro Nibei, a professor of sociology at the University of Tokyo, conducted an in-depth analysis of these results, attributing the primary driving force behind this shift to the influence of online media on the perceptions of younger generations.

Japan has long faced the dual challenges of an aging population and declining birth rates. To alleviate labor shortages, the government has gradually lowered entry barriers for foreign workers and international students in recent years. Although policy initiatives have begun to encourage multicultural coexistence, public acceptance of foreign integration remains fragile. As middle school students represent the future backbone of society, their perceptions of foreigners will undoubtedly have a profound impact on future social structures.

Professor Nibei points out that the online environment is saturated with various information and opinions, particularly short videos and real-time discussions on social media platforms, which are often presented in an emotional and extreme manner. This characteristic of "fragmented information" makes young people susceptible to one-sided or exaggerated narratives, leading to the formation of negative stereotypes about foreigners. In the survey, many students cited "negative news seen online" or "rumors among peers" as the main reasons for their reluctance to accept an increase in the foreign population.

Furthermore, the education system itself inadvertently exacerbates this divide. Textbooks and teacher lectures focus primarily on "national security" and "social order," with a relative lack of positive introductions to multiculturalism. Coupled with the Japanese society's emphasis on "homogeneity," students have few opportunities for genuine cross-cultural interaction in schools, making it more difficult to dispel fears and distrust toward foreigners.

Without adjustments, Japanese society may face the risk of polarization in the future. Changes in demographic structure and resistance to foreign integration will directly affect the sustainable development of the labor market, economic growth, and social welfare. To avoid a vicious cycle of "multicultural exclusion," the Ministry of Education and social organizations must jointly promote cross-cultural education, increase multilingual courses, and encourage student participation in international exchange activities, fundamentally changing the stereotypes held by the younger generation regarding foreigners.

In summary, the 2025 survey results not only reveal a negative trend in Japanese middle school students' perceptions of foreigners but also highlight how the dual influence of online information and the education system is gradually shaping national values in the wave of globalization. To maintain social openness and vitality in the future, it is essential to address the root causes by reshaping positive perceptions and practical acceptance of multiculturalism. (Source: CNA)