Overview
Japan has a mostly homogenous population consisting of 98.1% ethnic Yamato Japanese despite the presence of various ethnic/Indigenous groups such as the Ainu and Ryukyuan (Okinawan) peoples (2016 est.: CIA Factbook 2021). Japan also has a small migrant population, mainly consisting of Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, and others (2021 est: Encyclopaedia Britannica 2023). Between 2009 and 2010, Japan has taken some steps towards the development of an integration framework, establishing “one-stop-shop” comprehensive consultation centres for multicultural coexistence. The aim is to provide foreign nationals with quick advice on social security, education, health and residence and employment procedures (MIPEX 2020).
However, Japan falls behind most high-income countries in terms of diversity and immigrant integration policies. There are no formal policies or legislation, migrants are often denied basic rights, equal opportunities, and have no protection from discrimination. In the absence of dedicated anti-discrimination laws and policies, potential victims of racial, ethnic, religious or nationality discrimination have no opportunity to file complaint (MIPEX 2020; Tolley 2011).
Intercultural Dialogue Index (ICDI) Score
| Component | Score |
| Legislative Dimension | 0.33 |
| Multiculturalism | 0.32 |
| Anti-Discrimination | 0.33 |
| Structural Dimension | 0.65 |
| Social Contact | 0.05 |
| Fractionalisation | 0.87 |
| Inequality | 0.76 |
| Access to communication | 0.81 |
| Cohesion and Stability | 0.76 |
| Opportunities Dimension | 0.58 |
| Attitudes | 0.54 |
| Inclusion | 0.50 |
| Freedoms and Rights | 0.70 |
| ICDI Score | 0.52 |
Summary
Japan has attained an overall ICDI score of 0.52, an average score in the current articulation of the ICDI results. Japan’s relatively favourable environment is its structural foundation, with low ethno-cultural and religious division, with a score above 0.8. Because of its well-developed socioeconomic infrastructure, Japan has a robust score in terms of access to communication, above 0.8. Similarly, the Gini coefficient of 0.76 indicates low level of inequality. However, a score slightly above 0.3 in the component of anti-discrimination and multicultural environment signals the absence of robust anti-discrimination and pro-diversity acts or policies in the country. In other components, Japan has mixed scores. For example, a score above 0.7 in the component of freedom and rights signals a moderately positive situation around the freedom of domestic movement, foreign movement, and travel. In contrast, a score of 0.05 in the component of social contact indicate low levels of intercultural participation amongst different ethnic groups and low numbers of Indigenous and immigrant living languages.
Current situation and outlook
Compared to its slightly modest situation pertaining to its opportunities dimension, Japan achieves a higher score in many components of the structural dimension. A lower score in its legislative dimension can be attributed to limited articulations of anti-discrimination policies and the need for greater need for promoting cultural diversity and multicultural policies. Japan can improve its ICDI score by encouraging better social contact and inter-cultural participation as well as fostering more inclusive environment. It can also strengthen its legislative dimension further by implementing multicultural/diversity acts or policies. Legislative efforts to enhance multiculturalism will also help to promote intercultural interactions and contribute to enhancing equality, cohesion, and stability among the population.