> They have one of the strictest set of immigration policies in the world
[citation needed]
My experience is that Japan has very permissive immigration for skilled labor (anyone with a college degree) or social ties (marriage). Far more so than e.g. the USA or Europe. They just don't have a green card lottery for unskilled labor (like the US) or open borders for refugees (like Europe).
But you are right, I should have said first-world countries, I am not familiar with developing countries policies. Compared to the US and Europe, Japan's immigration policy is far stricter (and sensible as you state for skilled labour) and a significant driver is a desire for homogeneity.
A large number of those in support of Brexit wish to have a similar approach. Very supportive of high-skilled immigration, against extremely high low-skilled immigration.
The numbers don't tell the whole story - Japan also has large non-acceptance-related barriers to immigration, including the massive language barrier, low wages and a poor working environment for skilled workers compared to western companies, and a weak welfare system. Immigration system aside, Japan just isn't an attractive country to move to for economic considerations.
edit: as for anecdotes, I know people who have moved to the EU and US through marriage, and it was a multi-year and/or multi-thousand dollar ordeal. I know people who moved to the US though work and it was the same thing (working in a EU office for a year to satisfy some random internal-transfer criteria). Meanwhile getting a visa in Japan is a $30 fee for ID card issuance and everyone I know here has gotten visas approved in days (marriage visa, not even an interview required) to months (work visas).
Control as an euphemism for restriction of free movement for xenophobic reasons.
It was discussed a hundred times (and your answer shows partly why Brexit won: the message didn't get there) that the UK is not in Schengen (hence they control their borders) and can stop and/or kick out any EU nationals that are a security issue or a burden to the system. Other countries have exercised this right previously (Spaniards kicked out of Belgium, English hooligans threatened to be kicked out of France during the last Eurocup, etc).
The only reason to kick foreigners people think of when they talk about control is fear. They fear foreigners. That's what "the EU didn't let them".
I'm not sure what your link is trying to say. Naturalisation in Japan requires giving up your existing passport, and the only privilege it gives you is voting in elections. It also says a slim majority supports increased immigration (while a slim majority in the UK supports reduced immigration).
Seems like an eminently sensible proposition. It baffles me why the United States makes it so difficult for high-quality, educated immigrants to get over here, be productive, and become citizens, when there are tens of millions of illegals. Particularly baffling for all the international students that study at our elite universities, then upon graduation, get a swift boot to the behind and told to go home.
[citation needed]
My experience is that Japan has very permissive immigration for skilled labor (anyone with a college degree) or social ties (marriage). Far more so than e.g. the USA or Europe. They just don't have a green card lottery for unskilled labor (like the US) or open borders for refugees (like Europe).