The Japanese Government has established a new office in a crack down on foreigners "who do not follow our rules" amid concerns over crime and other incidents within the country.
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba launched the new office within the Cabinet Secretariat in Japan on Tuesday.
It aims at addressing issues like crimes and other incidents caused by some foreigners in Japan.
The topic of foreigners in the Asian country has become a top issue as politicians campaign for a House of Councillors election on Sunday.
An ultraconservative minor party, Sanseito, has gained popularity in recent polls.
It has led calls for tighter regulations and reduced intake of foreigners into Japan.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi has rejected claims that the Prime Minister has launched the office, to be staffed by 80 officials, as an election move.
Ishiba addressed issues including tougher immigration control, unpaid social security premiums and foreigners buying land in Japan at the ceremony to launch the office.
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|Japan Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said foreign nationals were a positive influence towards economic growth
However, the Japanese Government is towing the line between imposing stricter regulations on foreigners and claims of discrimination.
The Prime Minister said foreign nationals were a positive influence towards economic growth.
However, he added that "it's important for us to take stricter responses to those who do not follow our rules and rework the existing system if it does not match the reality".
The office will share information on issues regarding foreign residents in Japan in collaboration with other relevant offices such as the Immigration Services Agency, the Finance Ministry and Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry.
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|Sanseito Secretary General Sohei Kamiya. The minor party is calling for a limit on foreign workers coming into Japan
While often being regarded with a strict immigration policy, Japan has slowly opened its doors to foreign workers to address labor shortages.
It is expected to worsen in the future as Japan's aging population comes to a head.
Ishiba's Liberal Democratic Party has said in recent weeks that Japan must tighten rules on foreign driver's licence conversions.
It comes after recent serious accidents involving foreign nationals and also the negative impacts on the property market with those buying land in Japan.
While Ishiba's major opposition, the Constitutional Democractic Party of Japan, has called for new legislation to make sure Japan and its neighbours live in harmony while having the country's own rights respected, Sanseito has pushed the "Japanese First" line.
It has called for limiting how many foreigners are welcomed into Japan.
The new office is led by Assistant Chief Cabinet Secretary Wataru Sakata.