Immigration: defects in policy and practice

Perhaps a comparison of UK and Japan would be useful, so let me tell you how immigration works here in Japan. The overview is that both are relatively small island countries with aging populations, and the “wise men” decided that young immigrants were the answer. Japan is far and away the leading economic power of the region, and thus something of a magnet. However, Britain is hardly in the same league in that respect.
Start with the definition of immigration: To Japan this means young workers, usually men, who come to Japan, have the opportunity to enrich themselves, and then leave. The notion that foreigners come to Japan with their families to reside for the rest of their lives is abhorrent. Mostly the employment is well-remunerated entry level: Construction, manufacturing, service, and for the lucky few, communication. Usually English teaching, translation and proofreading. Some are able to go free-lance, for example with import/export car dealing. Of married Caucasian friends and contacts, few have other than a Japanese spouse. The Japanese government makes no special effort to aid assimilation; beyond a few somewhat misguided Japanese language classes run from the local ward office. Lip service is given to “internationalization” which means signs in a variety of languages.
Now compare with UK: The notion of immigration means relocate to Britain with family, and be assimilated. With a five-to-ten-year programme leading eventually to citizenship. Hence the “Learn English” rhetoric mindlessly mouthed by those that haven’t a clue of the effort involved in acquiring fluency in a second language. Particularly for those whose mother tongue has a totally different writing system. So while Britain bends over backward to accommodate the culture (including religion) of immigrants, it actually presents immigrants with a steep learning curve. So naturally they look for ways to duck under the bar. But as you guys still washed up on the beach in UK must realise, “immigration difficulties” refers largely to Muslim immigrants. Islam is such a hard-edged, male-led religion, attractive to the all-emotion, no-logic brethren, with world domination its stated aim. Any pretence that multiculturalism is the answer has been dropped; the thrust has switched to diversity. So grooming for citizenship: Have you guys lost your minds? Bottom line is that Brits think theirs is the superior culture. And this is the major difference between Britain and Japan.
While Japanese citizenship is theoretically possible for a person not born Japanese, it is extremely rare. I’ve never met anyone that has this status. The best us “gaijins” can achieve is permanent residence status. The process of obtaining PermRes can take decades, so they aren’t exactly handing it out with Corn Flakes tops. But as they say about a 50p cover charge, it keeps the riffraff out.