Foreign residents make up only 1.6% of the population. But in 1990, facing a labour shortage, the government came up with a compromise. It would allow second and third-generation Nikkeijin - "people of Japanese origin" - to come to Japan as permanent workers.
Nikkeijin had Japanese blood and would speak Japanese, understand the culture and integrate more easily. For workers, meanwhile, low wages and exploitation remain a problem. At the factory where a Brazilian immigrant works, he misses out on bonuses and benefits paid to his Japanese workers and has only just received his first days of paid holiday. It seems Japan needs these workers but is not prepared to treat them well. Will this lead to resentment and eventual unrest? Read part three of the BBCs articles here.