Foreigners and civil society in Japan

Scholars have consistently characterized political life in modern japan as consisting of a strong central government in a homogenous society, in which defining membership rules and state responsibilities has been a monopoly of the state. In recent years, Japanese citizens have responded to an influx of foreigners and a lack of government programmes to assist unskilled Asian workers by organizing support groups to help unprotected foreigners, groups that are pushing local governments to accept responsibility for caring for all their residents. In addition, the 1998 NPO law, which granted incorporation authority to local governments, has deepened partnerships between certain support groups and local governments. The larger role that small foreigner support groups play in redefining membership rules and state responsibilities in Japanese society demonstrates the increased political strength and independence 4 civil society organizations.