Japan’s Foreign Resident Population Reaches Record High of Over 3.7 Million

Japan has reached a new milestone in its foreign resident population, which has surpassed 3.7 million, marking the highest level ever recorded. By the end of last year, nearly 3.769 million foreign residents were living in the country, an increase of 358,000 compared to the end of 2023.

According to Japan’s Immigration Services Agency, the number of foreign technical interns residing in Japan has risen to approximately 457,000, which is 52,000 more than the previous year. The number of international students has also seen a significant increase, with 402,000 students, up by 61,000 from the previous year.

There has been a notable rise in the number of foreign workers holding the “Specified Skilled Worker” visa, with an additional 76,000 individuals, bringing the total to 284,000. The loosening of border control measures post-COVID-19 and the weakening of the yen have contributed to the surge in foreign arrivals.

On the other hand, the cancellation of residency visas for foreign nationals has decreased by 56% compared to 2023, with 1,184 visas being revoked. Among those, 710 were technical interns and 312 were students whose visas were canceled due to violations, including working in unauthorized sectors outside their designated field.

The recent trends in Japan’s foreign resident population reflect a growing reliance on foreign workers and students, driven in part by the country’s need to address labor shortages and economic challenges.

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