Japanese public housing tenants' nationality data to be gathered

TOKYO - Japan's land ministry has recently asked municipalities to gather information on the nationality and residency status of foreign tenants moving into public housing, to help ensure community rules are understood and evacuation instructions conveyed effectively during disasters.

Some local governments already collect this information, but the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism is calling for implementation nationwide as part of the central government's broader foreigner policy compiled in January.