After the appointment of Japan’s first-ever women Prime Minister, Sanae Takaichi, a claim has been made viral by internet users that she has officially formed a “Ministry of Mass Deportation” under her “first policy”. The claim was supported by the fact that Takaichi, a far-right conservative, is the face of a campaign against illegal immigration in Japan.
With over 9 million views on it, a post by an X handle, @Basil_TGMD, claimed that Kimi Onado, who heavily supported the campaign of Takaichi on the illegal immigration issue, has been appointed as the head of the Ministry and that she will decide “which foreigners get to stay in Japan”.
Similar claims were also made here and here.
Fact-Check
After fact-checking analysis, the DFRAC team found this claim to be false. A review of Japan’s Prime Minister’s official handle on X (@JPN_PMO) and the official notifications revealed no decision regarding the formation of a new ministry called “Mass Deportation”. After digging deep into this topic, we found that Kimi Onado, a 42-year-old U.S.-born lawmaker, has been appointed as the Minister of State for Economic Security. However, this Ministry has been assigned a new portfolio responsibility to promote an “orderly coexistent society with foreigners”. With this update and the fact of the appointment of a far-right leader to a top government position, confusion was created. It was assessed that a “Ministry of Mass Deportation” has been formed with Kimi Onado as its head, and she will “specifically manage deportations and decide which foreigners get to stay in Japan.”
Jeffrey Hall, a lecturer at Kanda University of International Studies in Chiba, has also debunked the viral claim for the formation of a new ministry as such.
Conclusion
Thus, the claim for the formation of a new ministry called “Ministry of Mass Deportation” is false and misleading. The Ministry of State for Economic Security has been assigned a new portfolio responsibility, with no indication of the formation of a new Ministry.
