The Strange Irony Between Abe and His Political Heir

It is well documented that former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is both the political hero and mentor of current Prime Minster Sanae Takaichi. One notable difference between the two is that Abe actively promoted inbound tourism and expanded opportunities for foreign workers, whereas Takaichi has often emphasised regulation, enforcement, and limits.

Not only did former PM Abe welcome foreign tourists, but he also actively encouraged them. He opened Japan's doors to blue-collar foreign labor with visa reforms. It seems Takaichi would prefer those doors to be guarded. It was during Abe's tenure that the ambitious targets of 40 million visitors by 2020 and 60 million by 2030 were set. Before his second term as Prime Minister (2012), there were only about 8.36 million foreign visitors to Japan annually. Will she try to curb the increasing foreign tourist numbers next?

One of the most significant factors contributing to the rise in anti-foreign sentiment in Japan in recent years has been the perceived problem of "overtourism" and tourists behaving badly. As I wrote in a previous post, "Be Careful What You Wish For...", Japan spent years actively pursuing more inbound tourism. Now that it has largely achieved that goal, however, growing concerns about overcrowding and disruption have led many people to question whether the country has welcomed too many visitors.

In many ways, Shinzo Abe's tourism and labour policies helped shape the very debates dominating Japanese politics today. The push for more foreign visitors and workers brought clear economic benefits, but it also coincided with growing concerns about overtourism, immigration, and social change. Critics argue that these anxieties have contributed to rising anti-foreigner sentiment. Sanae Takaichi, meanwhile, has often echoed or amplified those concerns. That is why I find it strikingly ironic that Abe was both her political mentor and personal hero.