Japan Establishes Government 'Control Tower' Under PM Ishiba on July 15 to Address Foreign Resident Crimes and System Misuse Amid Election

Japan has established a new administrative body within the Cabinet Secretariat to coordinate government efforts addressing issues related to foreign residents, including crimes, nuisance behaviors, and misuse of various social systems. Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba announced the creation of this "control tower" organization in early July 2025, aiming to strengthen enforcement of immigration-related laws and promote an orderly coexistence society. The new office was officially inaugurated on July 15, 2025, with Ishiba and Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi attending the ceremony. The establishment of this body comes amid growing public concerns over the rapid increase in the foreign resident population and related social challenges, which have become a key issue in the July 2025 Upper House election. The government intends for the organization to serve as a central coordinating hub across ministries to improve policy implementation and revise systems to address these concerns more effectively.