> I just find it odd so many non-Japanese media and commentators weigh in on this

What is odd about it? People comment on every country immigration policies. Why would Japan get a special exemption

> People comment on every country [sic] immigration policies

That's the world as it is, not necessarily as it should be. Not being a citizen of the country in question, or part of the culture, and most importantly, not being one of the people that deals with the consequences of whichever choice is made, means your opinion counts for so little as to be barely worth sharing