Nipponica

Kimi Onoda, a first-time Cabinet member, was tapped for two roles: economic security minister, and “minister in charge of a society of well-ordered and harmonious coexistence with foreign nationals.”

Onoda said she was looking to work closely with relevant government agencies to enforce stricter measures against unruly foreign residents and to revise the country's insufficient immigration policies.

“The current reality is that the people are feeling anxious, dissatisfaction or a sense of unfairness due to crimes, nuisances and inappropriate use of various systems by a small number of foreign nationals,” Onoda said at a news conference Wednesday. “While we must not fall into xenophobia, ensuring the safety and security of the public is essential for economic growth,” she said.

At 42, Onoda is the youngest member in Takaichi’s Cabinet and one of only two women appointed as ministers. Born in Chicago, Illinois, she has an American father and a Japanese mother.

My response to this new posting in the cabinet would be different if it was to better help integrate foreign people into Japanese society. But, as per usual, Onoda is going down the well trodded xenophobic route and targeting them instead.