政治

Fact Check: Japan Is Not Creating a Ministry to Mass Deport Foreigners

根津綾子(Ayako Nezu)

2025年10月28日

An English-language post circulating on social media falsely claims that Japan’s new Prime Minister, Sanae Takaichi,has announced the creation of a government ministry to deport large numbers of foreigners.This claim was verified by the Japan Fact-check Center.

Takaichi has stated that her administration will take a firm stance against illegal acts and rule violations committed by some foreigners. She also announced the creation of a new post—the Minister in Charge of a Society of Well-Ordered and Harmonious Coexistence with Foreign Nationals. However, as of October 27, 2025, there is no official information or announcement indicating the establishment of a new ministry or any plans for mass deportations.

The Claim

On October 22, 2025, a video circulated on X with the English text:“NEW PRIME MINISTER OF JAPAN MAKES MASS DEPORTATIONS FIRST POLICY　Sanae Takaichi was sworn in and IMMEDIATELY created a ministry for mass deportations”

Why we fact-checked this:

As of October 27, the post had been reposted more than 39,000 times and viewed over 9.45 million times.

While some users pointed out that there are no credible reports or official announcements confirming the claim, many others left supportive comments such as “Anti-mass migration is rising!” and “When Japan can do it, the west can do it..”

Verification Process

The Video Shows Minister Onoda, Not PM Takaichi

The 18-second video is accompanied by a caption claiming, “Sanae Takaichi takes office and immediately creates a ministry for mass deportations”. However, the footage actually shows Kimi Onoda, who has assumed the role of Minister in Charge of a Society of Well-Ordered and Harmonious Coexistence with Foreign Nationals, entering the Prime Minister’s Office.

In the Takaichi Cabinet, Onoda serves concurrently as Minister for Economic Security and as the Minister in Charge of a Society of Well-Ordered and Harmonious Coexistence with Foreign Nationals. One of her responsibilities is policy concerning foreigners. In the video, Onoda does not mention “mass deportations” or the “creation of a ministry,” and Takaichi herself does not appear.

No New Ministry for Deporting Foreigners

In her policy speech on October 24, Takaichi stated:

“Recognizing that Japan’s greatest challenge is population decline, we will establish a system to consider measures, including child and family policies, to address this issue. Amid labor shortages driven by Japan’s declining population, certain sectors continue to rely on foreign workers. Inbound tourism is also important.”

“At the same time, it is true that some citizens feel uneasy or perceive unfairness regarding illegal acts and rule violations committed by some foreigners. While clearly distinguishing this stance from xenophobia, the government will respond firmly to such behavior.”

“We will strengthen the government’s control tower function, ensure compliance with existing regulations, and review frameworks such as those governing land acquisition. To that end, we have appointed a new minister responsible for these efforts.”(Source:Prime Minister’s Office, “Policy Speech by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi at the 219th Session of the Diet”)

In other words, while she clearly stated that her government would respond firmly to illegal acts by some foreigners, she also emphasized the need for foreign labor and the importance of inbound tourism, adding that she would draw a clear distinction from xenophobia.

Instructions to Cabinet Ministers

The viral post appears to refer to the appointment of Onoda as Minister in Charge of a Society of Well-Ordered and Harmonious Coexistence with Foreign Nationals.However, as of October 27, there are no reports or official statements indicating the creation of a new ministry.

Upon the Cabinet’s inauguration on October 21, Takaichi issued written instructions to all 18 ministers.

Regarding policy on foreign nationals, as a common instruction to all 18 cabinet members, she wrote:

“Strengthen the government’s control tower function on issues related to foreign nationals and promote comprehensive measures. Implement countermeasures against organized crime to maintain and enhance public security.”

To Minister Onoda, she added:

“Promote comprehensive policies toward a harmonious coexistence with foreign residents and strengthen the necessary systems to implement these policies.”

Other instructions included those to Justice Minister Hiroshi Hiraguchi —

“In cooperation with the Minister for Promoting a Harmonious Coexistence with Foreign Residents, steadily advance measures against illegal stays and ensure proper immigration control.”,

and to Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi —

“Properly manage visa operations and promote international human resource exchange, including with foreign residents in Japan.”

Nowhere in these documents does the Prime Minister instruct any minister to carry out “mass deportations.”(Source: Nikkei, “Full Text of Prime Minister Takaichi’s Instructions to 18 Cabinet Ministers”)

Newsweek Japan and AFP–Jiji also verified the claim that Takaichi established a “Ministry for Mass Deportations of Foreigners,” both concluding that it is false information.(Newsweek Japan: “False Claim About Takaichi Creating a ‘Mass Deportation Ministry’ Viewed 8 Million Times in 24 Hours”; AFP–Jiji: “False Claim Spreading on SNS that Takaichi Created a ‘Foreigners Mass Expulsion Ministry’”)

Our rating:False

An English-language post falsely claims that Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi announced the creation of a ministry to deport large numbers of foreigners.

In her policy speech, Takaichi did state that the government would “strengthen its control tower function and review regulations such as land acquisition rules,” but as of October 27, 2025, there is no information indicating any plan for mass deportations or the establishment of a new ministry.

Sources & References

Prime Minister’s Office of Japan. “Policy Speech by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi at the 219th Session of the Diet.” October 24, 2025. https://www.kantei.go.jp/jp/104/statement/2025/1024shoshinhyomei.html (accessed October 27, 2025).

The Nikkei. “Full Text of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s Written Instructions to 18 Cabinet Ministers.” October 23, 2025. https://www.nikkei.com/article/DGXZQOUA230EU0T21C25A0000000(accessed October 27, 2025).

Newsweek Japan. “False Claim That Sanae Takaichi Created a ‘Ministry for Mass Deportations’ Viewed 8 Million Times in 24 Hours.” October 23, 2025. https://www.newsweekjapan.jp/stories/world/2025/10/575873_3.php (accessed October 27, 2025).

AFP–Jiji Press. “False Information Spreads on SNS Claiming Takaichi Established a ‘Foreigners Mass Expulsion Ministry.’” October 24, 2025. https://news.yahoo.co.jp/articles/b597546d66a01861b6d773fe0afc23ae80a2c558,(accessed October 27, 2025).

Fact-checked by: Ayako Nezu
Edited by: Daisuke Furuta, Kamome Fujimori

※This is the English version of the article below.