FOCUS: Foreigners at center of debate in Japan's tense election campaign

Ahead of the July 20 House of Councillors election, policies toward foreigners in Japan have emerged as a central issue, with minor conservative opposition parties gaining momentum amid waning support for the long-dominant ruling bloc.The rise of the minor nationalist Sanseito party, which advocates stricter controls on foreign residents under its "Japanese First" banner, has pushed the issue to the forefront of political debate, with the party ranking second in popularity in some recent media polls.Analysts warn that the discussion extends beyond short-term electioneering, saying that if x…READ FULL ARTICLE