ABSTRACT
Before the national census was conducted in October 2005, the population was prepared for the event by official announcements and advertisements in newspapers, including those catering for the foreign community. Readers were addressed directly in order to solicit their cooperation:
You are a member of the Japanese society. The government of Japan will conduct a population census as of October 1, 2005. The population census is a statistical survey conducted according to Japanese law. Everyone living in Japan, regardless of nationality, must fill out the census form. The information obtained from the census will be used only for statistical purposes. It will never be used for immigration control, taxation or policing.
