Many have argued that Japan has always been difficult and xenophobic towards foreigners, but this was a bit restrained by their population crisis (from ageing and low birth rates), which forced turning towards tourism (with pretend friendly) and immigration for additional tax money and to plug holes in certain shortages in various job markets. This money and taxes from immigrant labor and tourism (now with various price increases) is also used to prop up shortfalls in state budgets and to support the Japanese elderly.

With the rise of AI and robots becoming a strong possibility, it appears the more xenophobic elements of society are reasserting themselves and are convinced they can do away with or severely reduce the presence of "foreigners" for "purity" and other related homegrown eugenic ideologies. The US bases are a special situation, where the on going remilitarization and further constitutional changes are thought to be a remedy, based on very interesting conversations with those in the know.

The PR door looks to be left primarily open for graduates from elite universities (along with other countries looking to snatch away talent too), the relatively rich (pay to play), or "reluctantly" for those connected by marriage and/or children. Even in these cases, the unwelcome filter is to be turned on high.

I guess this is getting a bit into philosophy, but is it still even "Japan" if you replace the population with people from somewhere else?

The obvious: Only people with real intentions will attempt such process.

That automatically filters out, people with low IQ, and seeking to take advantage of the system.

Because a country has a population crisis, it should never mean open the gate for anyone. I mean, look at Europa atm, look at how beautiful is Europa as we speak after opening the gate from everybody.

Your question shouldn't even be asked, it is common sense.

Haven’t you heard? Robots are going to care for the huge portion of the Japanese population over the age of 65, which is currently 30% of the population. Yes, this is a real plan that the Japanese government has.

https://japantoday.com/category/tech/japan-biz-labor-scarce-...

Allowing foreigners in would disrupt the glorious harmony of Japan, so robots it is.

Probably to avoid the perceived issues other places have run into. You can always attempt to reverse a population crisis peacefully--you cannot reverse a migration crisis in the same way or with favorable optics. So, better to get ahead of it.

It's just populist politics. Instead of solving the real problems, just distract people with a scapegoat.