Sebastian at 16:22, 23 July 2026

2026-07-23T16:22:18Z

Sebastian: Created page with "Japan remains one of the world's most ethnically homogeneous countries, although international migration has become an increasingly important component of its demographic profile due to population aging and labor shortages. As of 2024, approximately '''3.4 million foreign nationals''' resided in Japan, representing '''2.7%''' of the total population. Women accounted for about half of the foreign population, which grew by '''65%''' between 2014 and 2024.
2026-07-23T16:21:57Z

Created page with "Japan remains one of the world's most ethnically homogeneous countries, although international migration has become an increasingly important component of its demographic profile due to population aging and labor shortages. As of 2024, approximately '''3.4 million foreign nationals''' resided in Japan, representing '''2.7%''' of the total population. Women accounted for about half of the foreign population, which grew by '''65%''' between 2014 and 2024.<ref name="OECD202..."

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Japan remains one of the world's most ethnically homogeneous countries, although international migration has become an increasingly important component of its demographic profile due to population aging and labor shortages. As of 2024, approximately '''3.4 million foreign nationals''' resided in Japan, representing '''2.7%''' of the total population. Women accounted for about half of the foreign population, which grew by '''65%''' between 2014 and 2024.<ref name="OECD2025">{{cite report |title=International Migration Outlook 2025 |chapter=Japan |publisher=Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development |year=2025 |url=https://www.oecd.org/en/publications/international-migration-outlook-2025_ae26c893-en/full-report/japan_ccc89a8d.html |access-date=23 July 2026}}</ref>

The largest foreign national communities were Chinese (24%), Vietnamese (17%), and Koreans (12%).<ref name="OECD2025" />

In 2024, Japan admitted approximately '''177,000''' new long-term or permanent immigrants, an increase of 8.6% over the previous year. Labor migrants accounted for 63% of arrivals, followed by family migrants (34%) and humanitarian migrants (1%). Japan also issued approximately 167,000 permits to international students, 165,000 permits to technical trainees, and 102,000 permits to temporary and seasonal workers.<ref name="OECD2025" />

Japan received approximately '''14,000''' first-time asylum applications in 2024, with most applicants originating from Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Türkiye. Of roughly 15,000 asylum decisions issued that year, 15% were positive.<ref name="OECD2025" />

Recent immigration policy has focused on addressing labor shortages. In 2024, Japan abolished the Technical Intern Training Programme, replacing it with the ''Employment for Skill Development'' programme, scheduled to begin in 2027. The government also continued expanding the ''Specified Skilled Worker'' (SSW) system, which covered 16 occupational fields by 2024 and provides a pathway toward long-term residence for qualified workers.<ref name="OECD2025" />

Japan has also expanded integration measures for foreign residents. Government initiatives include the ''Comprehensive Measures for Acceptance and Coexistence of Foreign Nationals'', training programmes for support coordinators, and settlement assistance for refugees and persons under complementary protection.<ref name="OECD2025" />

Migration in Japan - Revision history

Sebastian at 16:22, 23 July 2026