Foreign Residence Increase

As of January 2025, data revealed that in 27 municipalities across Japan, foreign residents accounted for more than 10 percent of the local population—an increase of seven municipalities compared to the previous year. This trend underscores Japan’s ongoing demographic diversification, largely driven by the inflow of foreign workers, including technical intern trainees , specified skilled workers, and permanent residents. The figure significantly surpasses the national average of 3.0 percent, indicating a growing concentration of international communities in certain localities.

Shimukappu Village in Hokkaido recorded the highest proportion of foreign residents nationwide at 36.6 percent, equivalent to 582 foreign nationals among a total population of 1,590. This represented an increase of 2.8 percentage points from the previous year. Other municipalities with similarly high ratios include Akaigawa Village in Hokkaido, Ikuno Ward in Osaka City, Oizumi Town in Gunma Prefecture, and Kutchan Town in Hokkaido—each exceeding the 20 percent threshold. These areas are characterized by a combination of tourism, manufacturing, and service industries that have become increasingly dependent on foreign labor.

Nationwide, the total foreign-resident population reached approximately 3.76 million at the end of 2024—an unprecedented rise of 350,000 from the previous year. By June 2025, that number climbed further to 3,956,619, setting a new historical record. This upward trajectory highlights the structural role of migration in sustaining Japan’s workforce amid declining birth rates and aging demographics.

Long-term demographic projections by the National Institute of Population and Social Security Research suggest that the proportion of foreign residents may reach 10.8 percent of Japan’s total population by 2070. However, Justice Minister Keisuke Suzuki noted in August 2025 that this milestone might be achieved sooner given current trends. Municipalities with high concentrations of foreign residents are typically industrial hubs or tourist destinations, where labor shortages have accelerated reliance on migrant workers. The growing permanence of these communities indicates a gradual shift toward greater societal integration of foreign populations within Japan’s regional economies.


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