Japan’s foreign population has reached an unprecedented milestone, surpassing 4 million residents for the first time as migration into the country accelerates. According to the Immigration Services Agency of Japan, the number of foreign residents stood at a record 4.12 million by the end of 2025, marking a 9.5% increase from the previous year.
The surge reflects a broader trend of increasing international mobility into Japan, with the number of foreign nationals entering the country rising 15.4% year-on-year to a record 42 million. This is the first time annual arrivals have exceeded 40 million, highlighting Japan’s growing role as a destination for workers, students, and travelers amid ongoing labor shortages and economic shifts.
Among foreign residents, Chinese nationals formed the largest group at over 930,000, followed by significant populations from Vietnam and South Korea. In terms of residency status, permanent residents made up the largest share, with nearly one million individuals, while skilled professionals in fields such as engineering and international services, along with foreign students, accounted for a substantial portion of the total.
At the same time, Japan has made progress in reducing the number of visa overstayers. The total number fell by 8.5% to 68,488 as of early 2026, marking the second consecutive annual decline. Authorities attribute this drop to strengthened enforcement measures and a government program introduced in 2025 aimed at addressing irregular stays. Despite the decrease, Vietnamese, Thai, and South Korean nationals comprised the largest groups among overstayers.
Enforcement efforts have also intensified, with a record number of deportations carried out under official orders. More than 300 individuals were repatriated at government expense with escort officers, reflecting stricter immigration control policies even as overall foreign inflows increase.
Refugee applications in Japan declined slightly in 2025, with just over 11,000 applicants seeking asylum. Only 187 individuals were granted full refugee status, a marginal decrease from the previous year. Applicants from Afghanistan represented the largest group among those seeking protection. In addition, Japan continued to expand its alternative protection framework, granting quasi-refugee status to 474 people, the majority of whom were from Ukraine.
