Japan’s foreign workforce has exceeded 2 million for the first time, with Nepalese workers emerging as a significant part of this growth. According to the latest data from the Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare of Japan, Nepalese workers now represent 7.1% of the foreign workforce, amounting to approximately 145,456 individuals. This group has witnessed an impressive growth rate of 23.2%, underscoring their increasing importance in Japan’s labor market.
Vietnamese workers are the largest group among the foreign workforce with 518,364 or 25.3%, followed by Chinese with 397,918 or 19.4%, and Filipino workers with 226,846 or 11.1%. The data also highlights that Indonesian workers have experienced the highest growth rate at 56%, with Myanmar’s workforce at 49.9%.
A significant portion of these foreign workers, 552,399 to be precise, are employed in the manufacturing sector. The service sector employs 320,755, while the wholesale and retail sectors have 263,555 foreign workers. These statistics underline the essential roles that foreign employees play across a range of industries in Japan.
Labor ministry officials have noted that the increase in foreign workers is particularly pronounced in sectors facing labor shortages, such as construction and healthcare. This surge is a positive sign that the contribution of foreign workers is critical in filling these gaps. Furthermore, the rate of increase in the number of foreign workers hiring, especially in the construction and medical and welfare sectors, has nearly returned to pre-pandemic levels, signaling a robust recovery of Japan’s job market.
