This paper examines what the Japanese government means by "tabunka-kyosei" through an analysis of multicultural policy in local societies issued by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications in 2006. Especially, I focus on the concept of culture in the plan and argue that it reproduces unequal relationships between international and Japanese residents. It reinforces the status-quo of Japanese society consisting of majority Japanese and minority foreigners. Finally, I present how local societies can empower people with different cultures through redefining a concept of culture
