In 2024, approximately **** million residents of foreign nationality were registered in Japan, making up below ***** percent of the population. The total number of foreign residents increased by about ****million in the last decade. Development of immigration to Japan Except for a large minority of people of Korean descent who have lived in Japan since the first half of the twentieth century, immigration of people from other countries did not become an issue in Japan until the 1980s when the economy required more labor. A revision of the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act in 1990 allowed people of Japanese descent, so-called "nikkeijin," to enter the country and work without restrictions. The nikkeijin who entered Japan in the years that followed mainly came from Brazil and other South American countries. Chinese immigration increased as well throughout the 1990s and early 2000s. A breakdown of foreign residents by major nationalities shows that ********immigrants overtook ******* as the largest minority group in 2007. People from ******* were the strongest growing minority in the 2010s. Recent immigration reform Due to its demographic changes, Japan has a relatively low unemployment rate. As a consequence, a large share of companies report labor shortages. The temporary immigration of foreign workers is considered one of the possible solutions to this problem, next to the increasing labor market participation of women and the elderly. In 2019, the Japanese government enacted a major immigration reform. The reform allowed lower- and semi-skilled workers to enter the country and work in one of 14 different industries suffering from a lack of labor. The vast majority of participants are not allowed to bring their family members and are expected to return to their respective countries after their terms in Japan end.

Historical dataset showing Japan immigration statistics by year from 1960 to 2015.

Japan immigration statistics for 2015 was 2,043,877, a 4.23% decline from 2010.

<ul style='margin-top:20px;'>

<li>Japan immigration statistics for 2010 was <strong>2,134,151</strong>, a <strong>6.02% increase</strong> from 2005.</li>
<li>Japan immigration statistics for 2005 was <strong>2,012,916</strong>, a <strong>19.35% increase</strong> from 2000.</li>
<li>Japan immigration statistics for 2000 was <strong>1,686,567</strong>, a <strong>22.12% increase</strong> from 1995.</li>
</ul>International migrant stock is the number of people born in a country other than that in which they live. It also includes refugees. The data used to estimate the international migrant stock at a particular time are obtained mainly from population censuses. The estimates are derived from the data on foreign-born population--people who have residence in one country but were born in another country. When data on the foreign-born population are not available, data on foreign population--that is, people who are citizens of a country other than the country in which they reside--are used as estimates. After the breakup of the Soviet Union in 1991 people living in one of the newly independent countries who were born in another were classified as international migrants. Estimates of migrant stock in the newly independent states from 1990 on are based on the 1989 census of the Soviet Union. For countries with information on the international migrant stock for at least two points in time, interpolation or extrapolation was used to estimate the international migrant stock on July 1 of the reference years. For countries with only one observation, estimates for the reference years were derived using rates of change in the migrant stock in the years preceding or following the single observation available. A model was used to estimate migrants for countries that had no data.

Japan gained 242,131 total inhabitants in 2023. The net migration in Japan recovered from a sharp decline in 2020 and 2021.

United States Immigrants Admitted: Japan data was reported at 4,635.000 Person in 2017. This records a decrease from the previous number of 5,207.000 Person for 2016. United States Immigrants Admitted: Japan data is updated yearly, averaging 5,989.000 Person from Sep 1986 (Median) to 2017, with 32 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 11,028.000 Person in 1992 and a record low of 3,959.000 Person in 1986. United States Immigrants Admitted: Japan data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by US Department of Homeland Security. The data is categorized under Global Database’s United States – Table US.G087: Immigration.

Japan had a net increase of 240,205 foreign nationals in 2023, while it gained 1,926 Japanese nationals. That year, the net increase of the total inhabitants of Japan was 242,131.

Japan JP: International Migrant Stock: % of Population data was reported at 1.615 % in 2015. This records a decrease from the previous number of 1.676 % for 2010. Japan JP: International Migrant Stock: % of Population data is updated yearly, averaging 1.463 % from Dec 1990 (Median) to 2015, with 6 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 1.676 % in 2010 and a record low of 0.880 % in 1990. Japan JP: International Migrant Stock: % of Population data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Japan – Table JP.World Bank.WDI: Population and Urbanization Statistics. International migrant stock is the number of people born in a country other than that in which they live. It also includes refugees. The data used to estimate the international migrant stock at a particular time are obtained mainly from population censuses. The estimates are derived from the data on foreign-born population--people who have residence in one country but were born in another country. When data on the foreign-born population are not available, data on foreign population--that is, people who are citizens of a country other than the country in which they reside--are used as estimates. After the breakup of the Soviet Union in 1991 people living in one of the newly independent countries who were born in another were classified as international migrants. Estimates of migrant stock in the newly independent states from 1990 on are based on the 1989 census of the Soviet Union. For countries with information on the international migrant stock for at least two points in time, interpolation or extrapolation was used to estimate the international migrant stock on July 1 of the reference years. For countries with only one observation, estimates for the reference years were derived using rates of change in the migrant stock in the years preceding or following the single observation available. A model was used to estimate migrants for countries that had no data.; ; United Nations Population Division, Trends in Total Migrant Stock: 2008 Revision.; Weighted average;

Tokyo Prefecture continued to be a magnet for domestic migration in Japan, attracting nearly 58,500 new residents from other prefectures in 2023. By contrast, Hiroshima Prefecture showed the highest population loss due to outbound migration within the country, with a net loss of approximately 7,400 migrants. Attractiveness of Tokyo The population density in the prefecture has grown over the past two decades, surpassing 6,400 inhabitants per square kilometer in 2020. The appealing nature of Tokyo is also reflected in the age demographics of the metropolis, with most residents falling within the working-age group of 15 to 64 years. Numerous prestigious universities and large corporations make the area a popular destination for young people with aspirations. Depopulation of rural areas The migration patterns across Japan's prefectures indicate significant regional disparities. While Tokyo leads in population size with 14 million inhabitants in 2023, prefectures like Tottori struggle to retain residents, counting only about 540,000 people. This imbalance has prompted concerns about the sustainability of rural communities and has led to various initiatives aimed at revitalizing less populous areas. The Japanese government faces the complex task of addressing these demographic shifts while also navigating challenges resulting from a nationwide aging population due to prolonged life expectancy and fertility decline.

Japan Inter Prefectural Migrants: Annual: Female data was reported at 1,018,730.000 Person in 2017. This records an increase from the previous number of 1,008,404.000 Person for 2016. Japan Inter Prefectural Migrants: Annual: Female data is updated yearly, averaging 1,299,616.500 Person from Dec 1958 (Median) to 2017, with 60 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 1,883,722.000 Person in 1971 and a record low of 942,201.000 Person in 1958. Japan Inter Prefectural Migrants: Annual: Female data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Statistical Bureau. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Japan – Table JP.G006: Vital Statistics: Migration.

This scatter chart displays population (people) against net migration (people) in Japan. The data is about countries per year.

Japan Internal Migrants: Annual: Migration Rate: Female data was reported at 3.580 % in 2017. This records an increase from the previous number of 3.550 % for 2016. Japan Internal Migrants: Annual: Migration Rate: Female data is updated yearly, averaging 4.830 % from Dec 1959 (Median) to 2017, with 59 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 7.360 % in 1971 and a record low of 3.550 % in 2016. Japan Internal Migrants: Annual: Migration Rate: Female data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Statistical Bureau. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Japan – Table JP.G006: Vital Statistics: Migration.

This dataset is about countries per year in Japan. It has 64 rows. It features 3 columns: country, and net migration.

The initial budget for personnel expenses of the immigration control and residency management administration in Japan amounted to around 43.1 billion Japanese yen in the fiscal year 2024. Planned expenditure reached a decade high after dropping in 2021 and 2022, when the number of newly arriving foreign nationals in Japan declined significantly.

Abstract During the first half of the twentieth century, Western psychiatry was quickly absorbed in Japan, particularly the versions from Germany and Austria. By 1940, over 130 psychiatric hospitals were caring for approximately thirty thousand patients in cities, while in rural areas about sixty thousand people still depended on family members for care. Japan’s empire expanded during this same period, and many immigrants came to the country. Growth in immigration from Korea was particularly important. Korean immigrants encountered Japanese psychiatric hospitals during the second quarter of the twentieth century, and this paper examines the complex nature of their hospital stays.

Norway Immigration: Asia: Japan data was reported at 204.000 Person in 2017. This records an increase from the previous number of 171.000 Person for 2016. Norway Immigration: Asia: Japan data is updated yearly, averaging 149.000 Person from Dec 1967 (Median) to 2017, with 51 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 220.000 Person in 1997 and a record low of 79.000 Person in 1967. Norway Immigration: Asia: Japan data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Statistics Norway. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Norway – Table NO.G006: Immigration: by Country.

This line chart displays net migration (people) by date using the aggregation sum in Japan. The data is about countries per year.

Japan Internal Migrants data was reported at 295,016.000 Person in Sep 2018. This records a decrease from the previous number of 352,992.000 Person for Aug 2018. Japan Internal Migrants data is updated monthly, averaging 370,918.000 Person from Jan 1998 (Median) to Sep 2018, with 249 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 1,093,542.000 Person in Mar 1998 and a record low of 283,724.000 Person in Nov 2014. Japan Internal Migrants data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Statistical Bureau. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Japan – Table JP.G006: Vital Statistics: Migration. Figures here exclude foreign migrants.

Japan Internal Migrants: Annual: Migration Rate: Male data was reported at 4.290 % in 2017. This records an increase from the previous number of 4.270 % for 2016. Japan Internal Migrants: Annual: Migration Rate: Male data is updated yearly, averaging 5.890 % from Dec 1959 (Median) to 2017, with 59 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 8.720 % in 1970 and a record low of 4.270 % in 2016. Japan Internal Migrants: Annual: Migration Rate: Male data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Statistical Bureau. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Japan – Table JP.G006: Vital Statistics: Migration.

Historical dataset showing Japan net migration by year from 1960 to 2024.

Japan Intra Prefectural Migrants: Annual: Migration Rate data was reported at 2.090 % in 2017. This records an increase from the previous number of 2.080 % for 2016. Japan Intra Prefectural Migrants: Annual: Migration Rate data is updated yearly, averaging 2.855 % from Dec 1954 (Median) to 2017, with 64 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 3.970 % in 1973 and a record low of 2.080 % in 2016. Japan Intra Prefectural Migrants: Annual: Migration Rate data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Statistical Bureau. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Japan – Table JP.G006: Vital Statistics: Migration.