Sapporo –

Sapporo passed an ordinance at the end of March that calls for the respecting of individual differences to create a society in which diversity and inclusiveness are strengths.

It comes as the number of foreign residents has doubled over the past decade, despite an overall population decline. Though touching upon the need to respect ethnic minorities like the Ainu, as well as the LGBTQ+ community, Sapporo also hopes the ordinance will help attract more foreign visitors and residents, especially in the coming years as the Rapidus semiconductor manufacturing plant in nearby Chitose gets up and running.

The ordinance is based on four basic goals. The first is to create a diverse population that respects differences in age, sex and gender identity, and embraces people regardless of their physical appearance, nationality, ethnicity, native language, culture or religion. The second is to establish a barrier-free society that overcomes not only physical barriers, but also social ones, such as discrimination and exclusion.

The third and fourth goals are to encourage cooperation not only from individual residents, but also from local businesses in realizing a society of coexistence, and to ensure that future generations understand diversity's importance.

Though the ordinance, which Sapporo Mayor Katsuhiro Akimoto strongly backs, went into effect on April 1, it is not without controversy. The city received over 2,000 public comments on the ordinance. Some questioned its necessity, while others expressed concerns that it could lead to confusion and divisions within society.

The largest number of specific concerns, however, were related to Sapporo accepting more foreign residents. Of the 2,068 responses, 20% (410) expressed concern that an increase in the foreign population would lead to a decline in public safety, while others raised practical issues, such as how to handle funeral arrangements for deceased residents requiring Muslim rites.

Another 82 respondents stated that foreigners should respect Japanese cultures and practices (though they didn’t necessarily oppose the ordinance), while 53 others expressed the view that there was no need to give preferential treatment to foreigners. Fifty-two respondents were explicitly opposed to accepting foreign immigrants.

The ordinance was driven by several factors, beginning with the fact that while Sapporo is facing a population decline in the coming years, the number of foreign nationals moving in over the past decade has doubled.

According to Sapporo’s figures, based on the 2020 national census, the city had a total population of 1.97 million in 2020. That number is expected to decline to 1.59 million by 2060.

Meanwhile, though there was a slight decline in new foreign residents during the COVID-19 years of 2021 and 2022, the overall foreign population of the city jumped from 10,314 in 2016 to 20,665 as of Jan. 1.

In terms of nationality, the foreign population as of Jan. 1 included 5,414 Chinese nationals, 2,676 Koreans and 2,483 Vietnamese. Together, these three groups accounted for about half of the city’s foreign residents.

Another 1,605 were from Myanmar, and 1,402 were of Indonesian nationality. Others were from places such as Nepal (954), the United States (797), Taiwan (781), the Philippines (753) and Russia (311).

During a news conference in February, Akimoto outlined his reasoning behind the need for a foreigner-friendly ordinance, emphasizing that Sapporo was facing a workforce shortage that would require an influx of skilled foreign workers.

“If the number of foreign residents doesn’t increase in the future, it will be difficult for Sapporo to maintain its city services. As the foreign population grows, we must foster mutual understanding to ensure that everyone can live together as a community,” he said.

The ordinance also came into effect at a time when the Rapidus semiconductor plant in Chitose, about 30 minutes from Sapporo using the fastest trains, officially announced that pilot production of its 2-nanometer chips was underway.

If all goes according to plan and full production begins in 2027, other semiconductor-related businesses, as well as service businesses, will set up shop in and around Chitose, bringing in large numbers of foreign employees. Sapporo officials hope some of those working in Chitose will either visit regularly or choose to live there, in view of the two cities’ proximity.

Addressing Hokkaido’s effort to not only develop its semiconductor industry, but also promote green tech and green finance sectors that are expected to attract staff from around the world, Akimoto also emphasized that the ordinance would enhance Sapporo’s appeal as a city where people of diverse cultural and national backgrounds can live together. He expressed hope that the initiative would give the city a competitive edge in attracting new investment, new residents and thus new local tax revenues in the years to come.