Fukuoka’s mayoral campaign opened on Nov. 1 with a record 13 candidates, whose opening speeches included sharply different positions on foreign residents. Japanese Conservative Party candidate Kentaro Mori proposed ending public assistance for foreign nationals and restricting enhanced child-rearing support to Japanese citizens. Sanseito-endorsed independent Keiko Yoshitomi called for stricter adherence to everyday rules, investigations into local conditions, and national limits on accepting foreign residents. Japanese Communist Party-supported independent Sumiko Katayama opposed discrimination and exclusion, emphasizing that foreign nationals are fellow residents. All 13 candidates are newcomers. Source: NHK News / TNC News
Photo: Fukuoka Now
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