Event Title: The Rise of Xenophobia in Japan

Speaker: Dr. Ikuma Ogura (Area of Expertise: Political Behavior)

Date: December 4, 2025 (Thursday)

Time: 1:15 PM – 3:00 PM (3rd period)

Venue: Seminar Room 36, West Campus Main Building

Language: English

Reservation: Not required

Join us for a special seminar organized by students on the Planning and Implementation course, which will focus on the growing social and political concern surrounding xenophobia in Japan. This event will examine the rise of exclusionary attitudes, their connection to political developments, and the broader implications for Japanese democracy and society.

Our invited speaker, Dr. Ikuma Ogura, will explore why many countries—including Japan—are witnessing a surge in political movements that promote strong nationalism and anti-immigration messages. He will explain what drives public fear toward immigrants, why similar trends appear across different societies, and why xenophobia can persist even when it is not grounded in facts.

Dr. Ogura will also introduce his latest collaborative research on the effects of information correction. The research explores how people respond when misinformation regarding foreign residents—which they base their xenophobic perceptions on—is corrected. The findings provide valuable insight into what kinds of approaches may be effective in reducing xenophobia.

The seminar will encourage participants to critically reflect on contemporary Japanese politics through the lens of public opinion, nationalism, and immigration debates. A Q&A and a discussion session will follow, offering attendees the opportunity to engage directly with Dr. Ogura and each other.

Everyone is welcome to attend! No reservation is required.

Organizers: Ayano Nakamura, Kasen Tsuchiya, Makoto Shirabe, Sayaka Kobayashi, Yurika Jo (Faculty of Social Sciences GLP)