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> This is one of those factoids people constantly repeat because it sounds like it would be true

Preventing immigration (both permanent and temporary) has been a political priority in Japan for centuries. Are you saying this has changed recently? The US is a bit special because even with the hurdles it has it still receives a lot of immigrants. Japan, to my knowledge, would never accept being in such a position.

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> Preventing immigration (both permanent and temporary) has been a political priority in Japan for centuries.

Implying that the very immigration friendly modern Japanese government is the same as Tokugawa Ieyasu is almost as absurd as implying that Britain is a divorce crazy country due to Henry VIII.

I am also surprised but you can check and it does indeed seem the majority (90%+) that apply for citizenship every year are accepted...

I would hazard a guess this is because of their population crisis, maybe? They have one of the oldest populations in the world and their birth rate is still less than 1.5. That's a recipe for social and economic disorder, with current levels of automation.

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