top of page
All Posts
Number of Foreign Residents in Japan Surpasses 4 Million for the First Time — What's Happening?
As of the end of 2025, the number of foreign residents living in Japan reached approximately 4.12 million, surpassing the 4 million mark for the first time. This represents a 9.5% increase compared with the previous year and is the highest figure ever recorded. Today, foreign residents are becoming an increasingly familiar part of everyday life in Japan. Why Is the Foreign Population Growing? There are two main reasons: A growing labor shortage. The expansion of programs for
2001ukey0812
Jul 252 min read


More Than Half of Caregiver Training School Students Are Foreign Nationals — What Does This Workforce Shift Mean?
In recent years, a major change has been taking place in Japan's caregiving industry. One notable trend is that more than half of the students enrolling in schools that train Certified Care Workers are now foreign nationals. According to data for the 2025 academic year, approximately 55% of new students at caregiver training institutions are international students, meaning they already outnumber Japanese students. Why Has the Number of Foreign Students Increased So Much? The
an mire
Jul 182 min read


Japan Ranks 2nd Among the Most Popular Travel Destinations for Affluent Travelers — Why?
A recent survey of affluent individuals (high-income earners) in the Asia-Pacific region revealed the ranking of countries they most want to visit in the future, with Japan securing an impressive second place. The survey was conducted among approximately 1,200 wealthy individuals from six countries, including Australia, Singapore, and India. Around 70% of respondents said they would like to travel within the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region, and Japan emerged as one of the most pop
an mire
Jul 111 min read


Residence Status Fee Revisions Under Consideration — What Impact Could This Have on Foreign Workers in Japan?
The Japanese government is currently considering revisions to the fees associated with residence status procedures for foreign nationals. The proposed changes would affect applications for residence status changes, extensions of stay, and permanent residency permits. At present, the fee for changing or renewing a residence status is approximately ¥6,000. However, there is a possibility that these fees could be increased to several tens of thousands of yen in the future. The f
an mire
Jun 272 min read


One in Four International Students Coming to Japan Is Nepali — The Background and Future Employment Prospects
According to data as of 2025, approximately one out of every four international students in Japan is from Nepal. In terms of total numbers, Nepal ranks second only to China. However, what is particularly noteworthy is the ratio relative to population size. Nepal's population is around 30 million, while China's population is approximately 1.4 billion. Compared to China, the proportion of Nepali people choosing to study in Japan is remarkably high. In other words, Nepal ranks a
an mire
Jun 212 min read


Explanation of All 16 Work Visa Types in Japan
To work in Japan, you need a Work Visa. However, Japan has many different visa categories, and it can be difficult to understand which one is right for you. In this article, we will explain the main types of work visas available in Japan in a simple and easy-to-understand way. We hope this guide helps you find the visa that best matches your situation. ① Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) The Specified Skilled Worker visa is a work visa for designated industries that are experien
an mire
Jun 133 min read


How Much Does It Cost to Live in Japan for One Month? (2026 Edition)
The cost of living in Japan varies greatly depending on where you live and your lifestyle. Tokyo is generally the most expensive city, while regional cities such as Fukuoka, Nagoya, Sendai, and Sapporo tend to be more affordable. For a single person, the estimated monthly living expenses in Japan are as follows: Rent: ¥70,000–¥150,000 Food: ¥30,000–¥60,000 Utilities (electricity, gas, water): ¥10,000–¥20,000 Transportation: ¥8,000–¥15,000 Communication (mobile phone and inter
an mire
Jun 92 min read


Starting Salary for New Employees Reaches ¥500,000 (US$3,333)
Q: Was the starting salary an important factor in your decision to join the company?A: Of course. More than just a factor, it was something very important to me. Salaries in Japan have been rising, and some new employees are now receiving starting salaries as high as ¥500,000 per month.
an mire
May 241 min read


More Foreign Travelers Being Denied Entry? “Unclear Purpose of Entry” Becoming a Major Reason
Recently, immigration screening in Japan has been becoming stricter. According to 2025 data, the number of people denied landing permission (refused entry into Japan) reached 8,546, an increase compared to the previous year. Among the various reasons, one of the most common is “suspicion regarding the purpose of entry.” What kinds of cases are common? The most common pattern is when a person claims to be entering Japan for “tourism,” but there are unnatural or suspicious poin
an mire
May 182 min read


Foreign Residents in Japan Surpass 4 Million for the First Time as Workforce Structure Rapidly Changes
The number of foreign residents living in Japan reached approximately 4.13 million by the end of 2025, surpassing the 4 million mark for the first time ever. This sets a new all-time high and highlights the growing presence of foreign nationals in Japanese society. One of the biggest factors behind this increase is the expansion of the foreign workforce. According to Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, the number of foreign workers reached approximately 2.57 milli
an mire
May 182 min read


“Towel Manufacturing” Added to Japan’s Technical Intern Training Program — Maximum Stay Limited to 3 Years
On February 6, 2026, Japan’s Immigration Services Agency revised its official document regarding the Technical Intern Training Program and newly added “towel manufacturing (towel sewing)” as an eligible occupation for transition within the program. The key point of this revision is that towel manufacturing is limited only up to Technical Intern Training Program No. 2. In the document, it is marked as “●△,” which means participants cannot transition to No. 3 status (the additi
an mire
May 172 min read


JESTA to Be Introduced: Japan Moves Toward Pre-Arrival Immigration Screening
The Japanese government has officially decided to introduce a new pre-arrival screening system called JESTA (Japan Electronic System for Travel Authorization). The system will apply to short-term visitors from visa-exempt countries and is scheduled to begin operation during fiscal year 2028. JESTA is primarily intended for short-term visitors, such as tourists, and is separate from work visas and student visas used by people who plan to work or study in Japan. Travelers will
an mire
May 172 min read


Foreign Worker Insurance Program Introduced in Japan
A New Support System for Families Abroad In recent years, one of the biggest concerns for foreign workers in Japan has been the health and wellbeing of the family members they left behind in their home countries. To address this issue, Yamanashi Prefecture has introduced a new insurance support system for foreign workers and their families, becoming one of the first regions in Japan to launch such an initiative. A key feature of this program is that it covers not only the wor
an mire
May 132 min read
bottom of page