Are Foreigners' Social Media Posts Fueling Anti-Foreigner Sentiment?

When discussing rising anti-foreigner sentiment in Japan, most of the blame is usually directed at politicians, commentators, or the Japanese media. However, some foreign residents may also be contributing to the problem, even if unintentionally.

Social media rewards outrage. Posts about discrimination, rude encounters, and cultural misunderstandings often attract far more attention than stories about successful integration or everyday life. As a result, a small number of highly visible accounts can create the impression that conflict between Japanese people and foreigners is constant, even when most interactions are perfectly ordinary.

Worse still, some foreign influencers actively seek out controversial topics because they generate clicks, shares, and engagement. Complaints about Japan often spread quickly online, sometimes reaching audiences far larger than the original incident deserves.

This does not mean criticism is unwarranted. Genuine problems should be discussed openly. However, when every disagreement becomes a viral post and every unpleasant encounter is presented as evidence of a broader social problem, it can reinforce existing anxieties on both sides. In that sense, some foreigners may be helping to fuel the very anti-foreigner sentiment they later complain about.

Have you noticed an increase in social media posts highlighting the less attractive side of life in Japan, or using these debates to generate attention and / or engagement? Personally, I have only noticed a handful of accounts doing this. For example, some seem to focus heavily on instances of anti-foreigner sentiment they claim to have encountered. While such experiences should not be dismissed, it often appears that the controversy itself is being used to attract more viewers and engagement. The problem is that this can add fuel to the fire rather than helping to put it out.