> Personally, my top recommendation is for more transparency, to deepen the research on foreigners in Japan. The lack of data on real estate, for example, is a problem. .... Without facts, evidence-based policy making will become more and more difficult.

agree, but to add some anecdotal observation: i think a big problem with rapid increase of foreigners is the lack of easy integration into japanese society; its a constant source friction ime, so having foreigners and japanese in the same classes, in the same workplaces, and neighborhoods is important to absorb the local culture and have more understanding.. just my 2 yen