KUALA LUMPUR - Across two of the world’s most advanced economies, a new wave of anti-immigration protests is gaining ground.

In recent months, cities in Australia and Japan have seen demonstrations calling for tighter border controls and limits on foreign workers.

The anger comes even as both countries face shrinking labour forces and rely more than ever on migrants to keep their economies running.

Analysts say the situation reflects a deep paradox while public sentiment turns against immigration, economic reality shows these nations cannot sustain growth without it.

Similar unease has appeared elsewhere in Asia, where fast-changing demographics and rising living costs have made migration a divisive issue.

In South Korea, rallies in Seoul in 2023 called for stricter controls on Southeast Asian workers, despite migrants making up less than 5% of the population.

In Singapore, online backlash has periodically surfaced against the city-state’s large foreign workforce, even though migrant workers form the backbone of construction, cleaning, and care sectors.

And in Hong Kong, anti-mainland protests over housing and jobs in the mid 2010 showed how migration anxiety can blend with broader frustrations about inequality and affordability.

Across the region, the pattern is strikingly similar, economies depend on migrants to sustain growth, yet public pressure increasingly pushes back against their presence.

Why are immigration protests growing in Australia and Japan?

In Australia, thousands joined the March for Australia rallies in August 2025 to oppose mass immigration, a movement that the government condemned for spreading hate and misinformation.

A demographer at the Australian National University’s Centre for Social Policy Research, Dr Liz Allen said the growing protests reflect a wider fear among Australians of being left behind a perception that, whether real or not, continues to shape public attitudes toward immigration.

In Japan, a government-backed municipal youth-exchange programme involving African nations was mischaracterised online as a plan for mass settlement, triggering anti-African protests and rekindling xenophobic discourse.

An expert on immigration policy, argues the unrest in Japan stems from a stealth immigration system that accepts foreign labour but fails to explain it to the public, which in turn fuels anxiety about jobs, housing and national identity.

These events echo identity-driven protests in places like South Korea and Hong Kong, where migrant workers were blamed for price rises or job losses despite little supporting evidence  suggesting the anger is less about numbers and more about social change.

How is misinformation driving these anti-immigration sentiments?

Misinformation has played a key role in turning social frustration into anger toward migrants.

In Australia, false claims that immigration causes inflation or job losses have spread widely on social media, even though government data shows no direct link.

A 2024 study by Australian media researchers found that disinformation targeting migrant communities is a long-standing and inadequately addressed problem, particularly during election cycles when migration becomes a political flashpoint.

In Japan, nationalist online networks circulated false stories about secret visa deals for African workers, narratives that were later debunked by officials but still sparked real-world protests.

Similar digital misinformation has appeared across the region.

In Thailand, for instance, online campaigns have targeted Myanmar migrant workers, prompting nationalist backlash. 

“This is a coordinated campaign designed to curb the number of Burmese in Thailand,” said Lalita Hanwong, a historian at Kasetsart University and security adviser to the Thai government.

Such online narratives exploit economic anxiety and social frustration, often overshadowing verified data about the real benefits of migration.

Why do these countries rely so heavily on migrant labour despite rising backlash?

Both Australia and Japan rely on foreign labour to fill gaps left by ageing populations and shrinking local workforces.

In Australia, migrants make up nearly one-third of the workforce, with key sectors such as healthcare, agriculture, and construction dependent on them.

In Japan, foreign workers now represent about 3% of total employment, the highest in its history, as the country struggles to maintain productivity with fewer young workers.

Neighbouring South Korea and Singapore face the same dependence, both economies rely heavily on migrant workers for low-wage and essential jobs.

Without foreign labour, these economies would face severe shortages in industries from shipbuilding to elder care.

Why does public perception differ from economic reality?

Public anger often grows not from data, but from perception  rising prices, housing shortages, and inequality make migrants an easy target.

In Australia, government data shows net overseas migration fell to 341,000 in 2024, down 37% from the previous year, contradicting protest claims of a record surge.

In Japan, foreign workers still represent a small share of the total population, yet are often blamed for social and economic stress.

Across East and Southeast Asia, similar perceptions persist  migrants are visible but rarely credited for their economic contribution.

In Singapore, for example, migrant labour accounts for over 30% of the total workforce, yet workers often face social stigma despite sustaining the city-state’s growth.

Analysts say this disconnect between fact and feeling is deepened by political narratives that link migration to national decline.

Can governments balance social pressure with labour needs?

Policymakers now face a dual challenge to maintain public trust while meeting real labour shortages.

Experts say governments must communicate more clearly how immigration supports long-term economic stability and ageing societies.

Japan is expanding language and training programmes for foreign workers to support integration, while Australia is reforming its visa system to balance skill needs with social acceptance.

South Korea and Singapore have also launched campaigns to improve public understanding of migrants’ roles, though resentment still lingers.

Observers warn that if governments fail to counter misinformation and protect workers’ rights, public hostility could weaken the very economies that depend on migrants most.

Rising anti-immigration sentiment in countries like Australia and Japan highlights a growing disconnect between public perception and economic necessity, as societies struggle to reconcile fears of social change with the reliance on migrant labour. 

Without effective communication, education, and protections for migrant workers, these tensions risk undermining the very economic growth and stability that foreign labour helps sustain.