Crime reporting fueling fear of foreigners in Japan?

I read an article online yesterday via NHK, which had a headline (when translated to English) that read "Crimes committed by foreigners in Japan on the rise, including organized crimes; National Police Agency steps up crackdown."

Something about the way it was worded made me feel a bit uneasy—I felt like the way it frames and presents the information can unintentionally (or perhaps even intentionally) foster fear, suspicion, and division between Japanese locals and the foreign community. Upon reflection, these were some of the things I noticed about the article content.

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There was an over-emphasis on nationality without broader context

Listing the nationalities of arrested individuals without providing proportional context (e.g. the total number of foreign visitors or residents from those countries) paints a skewed picture. For instance, if one nationality has a large population in Japan or a high volume of short-term workers, it's not surprising that raw numbers might be higher. But without that context, readers may end up drawing the conclusion that certain nationalities are inherently more criminal.

There seemed to be an implied association between foreigners and organized crime

By focusing on the idea of "organized theft" and "groups meeting through social media," the article seems to reinforce an idea of foreigners as coordinated threats. I don't think anyone would disagree that crime prevention is important, but the selective attention on foreigner-led crime (especially without comparing it to similar domestic trends) implies that foreign crime is uniquely serious or prevalent, which isn't statistically or socially constructive.

The article doesn't provide nuance

There’s no mention of the possible reasons behind these crimes, such as exploitative working conditions, poverty, or lack of social support. Ignoring this context takes away the human complexity of the issue, and makes it easier for readers to villainize foreign nationals.

I really worry about reporting like this creating an "us versus them" way of thinking, framing foreigners as a source of threat rather than as neighbors, coworkers, and contributors to Japanese society. With Japan increasingly relying on foreign labor and talent to sustain its economy, I truly feel that the media has a responsibility to report these stories with more care, nuance, and balance.

If you've read the article I linked above, how do you feel about the headline and the reporting?