Japan is infamous for its restricted immigration and refugee policy. This study examines how Japanese public opinion towards both immigrants and refugees developed in the past, and whether the current trends in public approach towards these phenomena signalise any change in policies. Several studies have already explained the general attitudes of Japanese people towards immigrants and foreigners, while the Japanese attitude towards refugees remains genuinely understudied. In this chapter, public attitudes towards selected groups of nationals, as well as ethnic and religious minorities – and opinions on statements related to immigration and refugee issues – were all analysed. The data set stems from the Sinophone Borderlands Indo-Pacific Survey, which was conducted in 2022 and collected 1219 nationally representative responses. Focusing on the role of the level of nationalist sentiments and political identity, this chapter reveals that nationalism and conservatism have a small impact on how Japanese society perceives refugees and immigrants. Overall, the study reflects that Japanese society does not significantly favour foreigners. On the other hand, it shows a high awareness of Rohingya refugees’ issues and support for their resettlement.
