Foreign population – 2025 | 3.1% of the population | Nationalities: China (23%), Viet Nam (17%), Korea (11%) |
Size: 3.8 million, 49% women | Evolution since 2014: +78% |
International Migration Outlook 2026
50th Edition
In 2025, Japan received 192 000 new immigrants on a long-term or permanent basis (including changes of status), 9.5% more than in 2024. This figure comprises 63% labour migrants, 35% family members (including accompanying family) and 0.6% humanitarian migrants. Around 176 000 permits were issued to tertiary-level international students, 112 000 to temporary and seasonal labour migrants and 174 000 to trainees.
Viet Nam, China and Indonesia were the top three nationalities of newcomers in 2024. Among the top 15 countries of origin, Nepal registered the strongest increase (19 000) and Viet Nam the largest decrease (‑14 000) in flows to Japan compared to the previous year.
In 2025, the number of first asylum applicants decreased by ‑15%, to reach around 12 000. The majority of applicants came from Thailand (1 600), Myanmar (1 500) and India (1 000). The largest increase since 2024 concerned nationals of Myanmar (900) and the largest decrease nationals of Sri Lanka (‑1 600). Of the 21 000 decisions taken in 2025, 6% were positive.
Emigration of Japanese citizens to OECD countries increased by 5% in 2024, to 23 000. Approximately 19% of this group migrated to Germany, 16% to the United States and 10% to New Zealand.
The Technical Intern Training Program (TITP) was restructured into a new programme called “Employment for Skill Development” (ESD). The latter was established to develop human resources with skills at the level of Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) through employment in Japan in industrial fields facing labour shortages, while ensuring continuity between ESD and TITP. While the legal framework was adopted in 2024, the new programme is scheduled to enter into force in April 2027, and preparatory work continued throughout 2025.
ESD Programme will allow foreign nationals to engage in employment-based skill development for up to three years, with training objectives aligned to the skill level required for SSW status. Quotas will be determined by field, notably based on labour shortage assessments.
Japan continues to expand the SSW programme. The five‑year framework covering 2024-2028 provides for the admission of up to 805 700. The system covers 19 fields, including Long-term care, Construction industry, Industrial product manufacturing, Agriculture, Accommodation industry and Automobile transportation business. In April 2026, the food service field was expected to reach its field-specific allocation limit.
To facilitate recruitment of SSWs in Automobile transportation business, a dedicated Designated Activities status was introduced in 2025 allowing prospective SSW workers to remain in Japan while obtaining a Japanese driving licence and completing required training (up to six months for truck drivers and up to one year for taxi and bus drivers).
From April 2025, employers accepting Specified Skilled Workers must co‑operate with local authorities on integration and multicultural coexistence measures in order to prepare and implement support plans for foreign workers.
Japan further diversified stay options for foreign graduates seeking employment. Under the “Job-seeking Promotion Project for Foreign Students Graduating from Overseas Universities in National Strategic Special Zones”, created in March 2024, eligible foreign nationals who graduate from overseas universities, complete study at a Japanese language institute for one year and satisfy designated requirements, may apply for a Designated Activities status. This residence status allows them to remain in Japan for up to one year to seek employment.
“Zero Illegal Foreign Residents Plan for the Safety and Security of People in Japan” announced in May 2025, aims to reduce the number of individuals whose deportation has been decided. Measures include accelerating the examination of applications for recognition of refugee status and promoting government-funded deportations with escort officers. Furthermore, in May 2026, the “Zero Illegal Foreign Residents Plan: Enhanced Promotion Package” was announced. This Package was compiled to identify priority measures to be intensively implemented.
On integration, Japan continued to revise annually its “Comprehensive Measures for Acceptance and Coexistence of Foreign Nationals”, first decided in 2018. These measures provide a whole-of-government framework covering Japanese language education, access to services, consultation systems and support throughout the life course. In 2026, Japan adopted new “Comprehensive Measures for Acceptance of Foreign Nationals and Well-Ordered and Harmonious Coexistence.”
Japan continued to provide integration support to individuals benefiting from complementary protection, aligning their access to services with that of recognised refugees.
For further information: www.mhlw.go.jp/english | www.isa.go.jp/en | www.moj.go.jp
