We’ve listed our five most read stories on The Mainichi news site, from top to bottom, that were published between November 1 and 9. The first story was viewed by 22.2 % of our regular readers. (The Mainichi)
A supermarket frequented by Brazilians and other foreign nationals is seen in Oizumi, Gunma Prefecture, Oct. 12, 2025. In a corner of the parking lot, cassava, a root vegetable used in Brazilian cuisine, was being sold. (Mainichi/Masanori Hattori)
Mayor of Japan town with many foreigners perplexed by rising support for Sanseito
OIZUMI, Gunma — Across Japan, more people are taking a critical view of foreigners. For instance, in the recent Miyagi gubernatorial election, a candidate backed by the Sanseito party, which promotes “Japanese First” policies, nearly unseated the incumbent, while Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, who is pushing to review foreigner policies, has garnered significant support. Full story.
The “Osaka NO HATE demonstration” against xenophobia and discrimination is seen outside JR Osaka Station in the city of Osaka’s Kita Ward on Aug. 31, 2025. (Mainichi/Kensuke Yaoi)
Exclusionist rhetoric in Japan politics sparks Osaka anti-xenophobia protest movement
OSAKA — It was a sweltering Aug. 31, and the street outside JR Osaka Station was crowded with protesters decrying what they call the anti-foreigner rhetoric that had colored the July House of Councillors election campaign, which saw the right-wing Sanseito party make significant gains. During the Osaka event, both residents and Diet members gave speeches one after another. Full story.
In this photo unrelated to the article, Vietnamese technical interns are seen working in oyster farming in Higashihiroshima, Hiroshima, Oct. 20, 2025. (Mainichi/Kenjiro Sato)
Japan losing attractiveness to foreign workers amid economic stagnation
TOKYO — While the Japanese public’s expectations for Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, who advocates stricter regulations on foreign nationals, are significant, it is also a fact that Japan is gradually becoming a country that is “not chosen” by foreigners due to prolonged economic stagnation. Full story.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, right, speaks during the first meeting of the ministerial council on foreigner policies, at the prime minister’s office in Tokyo on Nov. 4, 2025. (Mainichi/Akihiro Hirata)
‘Discrepancies’ over foreigner policy could cause conflict within new Japan coalition
TOKYO — A meeting of related ministers to discuss the Japanese government’s policy on foreigners in the country was convened on Nov. 4. Full story.
A mouse which has been artificially aged through radiation exposure is seen to the right, with graying hair. (Image courtesy of Emi Nishimura, the University of Tokyo’s Institute of Medical Science)
Graying hair may be body’s defensive action against cancer: Japan research
TOKYO — An increase in gray hair may be the result of a self-cleansing mechanism that removes damaged cells — potentially serving as a defense against cancer, according to a study by a team of scientists from a Japanese institute. Full story.
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