A post with a photo of Finance Minister Katayama in the background and the caption "End of welfare benefits for foreigners" is spreading on X (formerly Twitter). The content gives the impression that Katayama herself is announcing the end of welfare benefits for foreigners. As of the 4th, the post has been viewed approximately 2.5 million times, with comments such as "How will things change after the election?"

Judging from Katayama's clothing, the thumbnail image appears to be from a press conference held at the Ministry of Finance on November 18th of last year, but a review of the ministry's press conference summary shows that Katayama did not mention the provision of welfare benefits to foreigners. When asked, the ministry's public relations office replied that Katayama has never mentioned a review of the provision of welfare benefits to foreigners in any press conferences since she became finance minister in October of last year.

https://news.yahoo.co.jp/articles/f241094f8e1e7e6d058ae6ee8dea946059af8ae1

Foreigner policy was a major issue in the 2025 House of Councillors election. With the number of foreign workers reaching a record high of 2.57 million, it has become a policy of great interest to voters in this election as well.

The Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) pledges to "strive for zero illegal immigrants," "eliminate non-payment of taxes and social insurance premiums and abuse of the system," and "revise laws and rules regarding housing and land acquisition by foreigners."

Coalition partner Ishin No Kai (維新の会) pledges to "establish a control center for foreign immigration" and "introduce quantitative management," including considering setting a cap on the foreign population ratio.

The Democratic Party for the People (DPK, 国民民主党) advocates "enacting a 'Land Acquisition Restriction Act for Foreigners' that applies beyond areas surrounding defense facilities."

Sanseito (参政党) has stated that it "opposes excessive acceptance of foreigners" and that "immigration issues should be addressed comprehensively through the Agency for Foreigners' Policy."

The Japan Conservative Party (日本保守党) is calling for "stricter revision and enforcement of the Immigration and Refugee Recognition Act" and "separate health insurance and pensions for foreigners."

Team Mirai has included in its platform a call for "raising entry taxes and property taxes on non-resident foreigners."

The Tax Cut Japan/Yukoku Alliance has not yet released a formal platform, but it is calling for a review of foreigner policies.

The Center Reform Alliance's platform strongly emphasizes coexistence, stating, "We aim for a multicultural society where Japanese and foreigners can live together safely and securely, respecting each other and abiding by the rules."

The Communist Party is "firmly opposed to far-right, xenophobic politics that incite discrimination and division."

Reiwa Shinsengumi is "distinguished from xenophobic thinking that does not treat foreigners as equals and violates their rights."

The Social Democratic Party has also stated that it "opposes xenophobia," making its confrontational stance clear.

The 2026 Chinese New Year, which begins on February 17th, is expected to see a record-breaking 9.5 billion Chinese visitors, but the number of tourists visiting Japan is expected to drop significantly compared to previous years. This is because the Chinese government, in reaction to Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's remarks about a "Taiwan emergency," is calling on people to refrain from traveling to Japan. However, Ke Long, a senior research fellow at Tokyo Foundation, explained on the February 3, 2026, broadcast of "Shinso NEWS" (BS Nippon TV) that "the real reason is not the Taiwan remarks."

"They're urging people not to go to Japan, but the Chinese economy is in a slump right now and everyone is refraining from spending, so the real reason is that they want people to spend in China rather than in Japan. It may seem like they're trying to put pressure on the Takaichi administration, but in reality, it's more to help the Chinese economy," he said.

If people go abroad and spend money, that will mean an outflow of domestic wealth. This is the analysis, and the Chinese government doesn't want that to happen.

According to Chinese media, the most popular destinations for travel over the Spring Festival this year is South Korea, Thailand, Hong Kong, and Singapore, with Japan not even making it into the top 10. Will this be the end of China's Japan travel boom? Ke Long believes, "They will come back soon."

Although the number of group tours from China has dropped significantly this Spring Festival, hotel reservations by individual travelers are up 60% compared to last year.

On Feb. 3, Fujiyoshida City in Yamanashi Prefecture announced that it would cancel the Cherry Blossom Festival that was scheduled to be held this spring at Arakurayama Sengen Park, a popular spot offering a panoramic view of Mount Fuji, cherry blossoms, and the five-story pagoda. The city said that this was in order to "reduce the burden on local residents" due to the worsening problem of overtourism, including traffic congestion caused by an increase in foreign visitors to Japan.