Next January, Japan starts new monthly educational activities for Harmonious Coexistence with Foreign Nationals, named "LIFE IN HARMONY PROMOTION MONTH".

Today, more than three million foreign nationals live in Japan. The three visions of Japan's ideal society of harmonious coexistence with foreign nationals are "Safe and Comfortable Society", "Diverse and Vibrant Society", and "Society that Respects Individual Dignity and Human Rights". In order to foster awareness and promote understanding for the realization of such a society of harmonious coexistence with foreign nationals, the Ministry of Justice (MOJ) decided to designate the entire month of January of each year as "LIFE IN HARMONY PROMOTION MONTH", starting from 2024. During this period, the MOJ will carry out in a focused manner various publicity and educational activities, such as "ALL TOGETHER FESTIVAL", which will be the main event of the initiative.

Working toward the realization of a society in which Japanese and foreign nationals coexist in harmony

There are currently about 3.22 million foreign nationals* living in Japan. The number of foreign residents in Japan is increasing year by year, and their countries and regions of origin are becoming more diverse.

As cross-border social and economic activities intensify and Japan's population enters a period of decline, it is becoming increasingly important for Japan to realize a society in which Japanese and foreign nationals coexist in harmony and to create an environment conducive to the acceptance of foreign nationals.

In June 2022, the Government of Japan formulated a Roadmap for the Realization of a Society of Harmonious Coexistence with Foreign Nationals (see below). The Roadmap outlines Japan's visions for an ideal society of harmonious coexistence with foreign nationals, as well as the issues to be addressed and the specific measures to be taken to achieve these visions.

In this Roadmap, the government specified the following three visions for an ideal society of harmonious coexistence with foreign nationals: "Safe and Comfortable Society", "Diverse and Vibrant Society", and "Society that Respects Individual Dignity and Human Rights".

To realize these visions, it will be essential for all people living in Japan to coexist in a society that transcends differences in nationality and culture, and understands and respects the diversity of each individual. To achieve this, it is necessary for all Japanese citizens and foreign residents to deepen their interest in and understanding of the significance of a society of harmonious coexistence.

Initiatives to foster awareness and promote understanding

MOJ decided to designate the entire month of January of each year as "LIFE IN HARMONY PROMOTION MONTH", starting from 2024, with the goal of fostering awareness and promoting understanding of harmonious coexistence. During this period, MOJ, in collaboration with relevant government ministries and agencies, local public entities, and concerned institutions and organizations, will carry out in a focused manner various publicity and educational activities to foster awareness and promote understanding toward the realization of a society of harmonious coexistence with foreign nationals.

As an example of such educational activities, the organizers will host "ALL TOGETHER FESTIVAL" as the main event of "LIFE IN HARMONY PROMOTION MONTH". The festival will be held at the Tokyo International Exchange Center Plaza Heisei on January 21, 2024.

With the theme "Enjoy! Learn! World Cultures and a Society of Harmonious Coexistence," the festival will feature exhibitions, workshops, and performances that will allow participants to enjoy learning about the cultures and customs of other countries and to reflect on various aspects of harmonious coexistence with foreign nationals.

The organizers will use "LIFE IN HARMONY PROMOTION MONTH" and "ALL TOGETHER FESTIVAL" as opportunities to encourage both Japanese and foreign residents to consider a society of harmonious coexistence as part of their daily lives.

* Note1. As of the end of June 2023