A Town in Transition: Oizumi’s Growing Foreign Population
In the quiet town of Oizumi, located in Gunma Prefecture, a noticeable shift is taking place. The community is experiencing an increasing number of foreigners, leading to a mix of curiosity, confusion, and adaptation among local residents. While Oizumi has long been known for its large foreign population, interactions between Japanese and non-Japanese residents remain limited.
This transformation is not without its challenges. Some locals express discomfort or maintain a distance from their foreign neighbors. One 70-year-old man even voiced his desire for foreigners to leave the area. However, many others simply feel uncertain about how to respond to this change.
Economic Impact and Changing Perceptions
Despite these feelings, there are undeniable economic benefits that come with the presence of foreigners. A 65-year-old man who owns a gas company acknowledges that business has thrived thanks to the contributions of foreign workers. He notes that even landlords who once had reservations about foreigners now find them as tenants. “Some foreigners are good customers, some are not, just like Japanese people,” he says. “Fundamentally, I guess there’s no difference.”
The economic landscape is also shifting in other ways. Many Japanese residents have observed that some foreigners now drive high-end cars and purchase homes—something that was rare in the past. A local store clerk recalls that foreigners used to all ride bicycles, but at some point, they began driving Nissan Silvias. Recently, the trend has shifted to Mercedes and BMWs, highlighting a growing sense of financial stability among some foreign residents.
Work and Social Dynamics
Most foreigners in Oizumi work as temporary staff or technical interns rather than in regular, permanent jobs. This raises questions among some Japanese residents about whether foreigners are earning more money, which could influence their perceptions and attitudes toward them.
However, not all reactions are negative. A woman in her 60s comments on the “vitality” that foreigners bring to the community. She remembers when Oizumi was filled with young Japanese families, but now, she sees many foreigners with children. Another woman in her 30s, who grew up with Japanese-Brazilian and Peruvian classmates, says she hardly sees them as foreigners. In some classes at Nishi Elementary School, nearly 40% of students are from abroad.
Generational Differences and Future Outlook
Generational differences play a significant role in how people perceive the changing demographics. A 63-year-old man admits he has no foreign friends, but his son is close to Brazilians because they went to school together. “Their perspective is different from our generation’s,” he reflects.
Katsunori Miyaji, head of the Oizumi Town Tourism Association, believes that the presence of foreigners in classrooms has become normalized. “There’s no need for terms like multicultural coexistence,” he says. His hope is that Japanese and foreigners will eventually become friends, but he acknowledges that it won’t happen overnight. “Things will change with the children’s generation,” he adds.
Conclusion
Oizumi’s evolving demographic landscape reflects broader societal changes across Japan. As the town adapts to a growing foreign population, it faces both challenges and opportunities. While some residents struggle to adjust, others see the potential for a more diverse and dynamic community. The path forward may be slow, but with time and continued interaction, the future of Oizumi could look very different from its past.