Japan Has More Foreign Residents Than Ever
Tuesday, October 20, 2026164 words3 minutes279 reads
Japan has a record number of foreign residents, according to figures released on October 16. About 4.28 million lived in the country at the end of June 2026. That was about 156,000 more than at the end of 2025. Short-term visitors are not included.
Foreign residents account for roughly 3.5 percent of Japan's population. However, this is a count of residents, not just workers. Japan's overall population is getting older and smaller, making it difficult for businesses to find enough staff.
An immigration expert told AFP that Japan would continue to need workers from abroad. Businesses have asked the government for a wider policy to support foreign residents. At the same time, opposition to immigration has grown.
AFP also reports that Japan tightened some permanent residency rules in October. Permanent residency allows people to live in a country without a fixed end date. The expert warned that tougher rules could make staying less attractive. Meeting demand for workers and supporting residents are connected challenges.
