On October 16, 2026 (Reiwa 8), the Immigration Services Agency of Japan published “On the Number of Foreign Residents as of the End of June, Reiwa 8.” The number of foreign residents was 4,281,026, a new record high.
This article picks out and organizes the published figures most relevant to companies that employ foreign nationals and to foreign nationals living in Japan. All figures are from materials published by the Immigration Services Agency.
Source: Immigration Services Agency of Japan, “On the Number of Foreign Residents as of the End of June, Reiwa 8” (published October 16, Reiwa 8) and the accompanying published materials (Tables 1 to 6)
The overall figures
| Category | Number of people |
|---|---|
| Mid- to long-term residents | 4,017,321 |
| Special permanent residents | 263,705 |
| Number of foreign residents (total) | 4,281,026 |
| End of the previous year (end of Reiwa 7) | 4,125,395 |
| Increase (rate of increase) | 155,631 (3.8%) |
“Mid- to long-term residents” are foreign nationals residing in Japan with a status of residence, excluding persons granted a period of stay of “3 months” or less and persons with “Temporary Visitor,” “Diplomat,” or “Official” status, among others. Residence cards are issued to these mid- to long-term residents (Article 19-3 of the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act).
By status of residence: Specified Skilled Worker and Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services stand out
| Rank | Status of residence | Number of people | Change from the end of the previous year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Permanent Resident | 961,342 | +14,217 |
| 2 | Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services | 516,184 | +40,394 |
| 3 | Student | 479,626 | +14,842 |
| 4 | Technical Intern Training | 457,509 | +891 |
| 5 | Specified Skilled Worker | 444,256 | +53,960 |
In terms of the increase over the half year, Specified Skilled Worker (up 53,960) and Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services (up 40,394) are large, while Technical Intern Training rose by only 891. In April, Reiwa 9, the Employment for Skill Development system will start, replacing Technical Intern Training.
Point: For Specified Skilled Worker, an acceptance projection (acceptance ceiling) is set for each sector, and in the food service sector, issuance of Certificates of Eligibility has been temporarily suspended since April 13, Reiwa 8. As the numbers grow, restrictions on acceptance become a real issue in some sectors.
By nationality and region
| Rank | Nationality / region | Number of people | Change from the end of the previous year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | China | 941,031 | +10,603 |
| 2 | Vietnam | 693,750 | +12,650 |
| 3 | South Korea | 408,682 | +1,341 |
| 4 | Philippines | 362,761 | +6,182 |
| 5 | Nepal | 334,850 | +33,858 |
| 6 | Indonesia | 307,456 | +41,387 |
| 7 | Myanmar | 211,602 | +29,035 |
| 8 | Brazil | 209,550 | −464 |
| 9 | Sri Lanka | 85,415 | +6,287 |
| 10 | Taiwan | 73,628 | +372 |
Of the top 10 countries and regions, all except Brazil increased from the end of the previous year. The largest increases were in Indonesia (up 41,387), Nepal (up 33,858), and Myanmar (up 29,035).
By prefecture, and the situation in Chiba Prefecture
| Rank | Prefecture | Number of people | Share of national total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tokyo | 824,486 | 19.3% |
| 2 | Osaka | 389,846 | 9.1% |
| 3 | Aichi | 369,849 | 8.6% |
| 4 | Kanagawa | 331,515 | 7.7% |
| 5 | Saitama | 305,867 | 7.1% |
| 6 | Chiba | 272,332 | 6.4% |
The number of foreign residents in Chiba Prefecture, where our office is located, was 272,332, up 4.9% from the end of the previous year (259,663). This exceeds the national rate of increase (3.8%).
Chiba Prefecture by status of residence (main categories)
| Status of residence | Number of people |
|---|---|
| Permanent Resident | 62,443 |
| Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services | 39,863 |
| Dependent | 32,026 |
| Student | 29,341 |
| Specified Skilled Worker | 27,906 |
| Technical Intern Training | 24,525 |
| Special Permanent Resident | 6,610 |
Chiba Prefecture by nationality and region (main categories)
| Nationality / region | Number of people |
|---|---|
| China | 66,351 |
| Vietnam | 43,184 |
| Nepal | 29,185 |
| Philippines | 24,796 |
| Indonesia | 16,568 |
| South Korea | 15,911 |
| Sri Lanka | 14,452 |
Characteristic features of Chiba Prefecture are the large numbers of people working under Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services and their families (Dependent), and the fact that Specified Skilled Worker exceeds Technical Intern Training.
What this means for companies and foreign nationals
- Competition in hiring is intensifying While the numbers under Specified Skilled Worker and Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services are growing, the number of companies seeking foreign talent is also growing. Pay, support systems, and the reliability of residence procedures make the difference in hiring and retention.
- The standards for residence procedures continue to be revised The standards for procedures continue to be revised, including the revision of the Permanent Residence Guidelines (October 1, Reiwa 8) and the revision of fees. As the numbers grow, preparation to avoid delays or denials due to deficiencies in documents becomes more important.
- More people are living in Japan for the long term The most common status of residence is “Permanent Resident,” and Dependent also accounts for a large share. Consultations on long-term procedures such as extension, permanent residence, and naturalization are expected to keep increasing.
Summary
- The number of foreign residents at the end of June, Reiwa 8 was 4,281,026, a new record high.
- By status of residence, Permanent Resident is the largest, and the increases over the half year are large for Specified Skilled Worker and Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services.
- By nationality, China, Vietnam, and South Korea are at the top, and the increases in Indonesia, Nepal, and Myanmar stand out.
- Chiba Prefecture has 272,332, 6th in Japan, with a rate of increase of 4.9%.
We explain the notifications required of companies employing foreign nationals in Notification Calendar for Companies Employing Foreign Nationals, and recent changes to Specified Skilled Worker in Specified Skilled Worker 2026 Changes.
Our Support
At our office near the South Exit of JR Chiba Station, we accept consultations from both companies and individuals, from hiring foreign nationals to obtaining and renewing a status of residence, and on to permanent residence and naturalization.
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