Japan's foreign resident population hits record high

· Politics · Japan

Japan's foreign resident population has reached a record high, NHK reported, with a surge in highly skilled foreign workers. The figures reflect a country moving, albeit cautiously, to fill labour gaps in an ageing society. The government has expanded visa routes for professionals, and the newcomers are arriving even as public debate over immigration stays sensitive. The data covers registered foreign residents, a group that now outnumbers earlier peaks. Authorities say the rise is concentrated in specialised and technical fields. The numbers underscore how much Japan's workforce and demographics now depend on arrivals from abroad.

Why it matters：Japan's record foreign population shows how ageing economies are turning to immigration to sustain growth, a shift with political and social consequences.

Key points

  • The figure is a record high for registered foreign residents in Japan.
  • A notable share of the increase is in highly skilled workers.
  • The data lands amid continuing public debate over immigration policy.

Sources (original reporting)

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