Vietnamese people are the most populous among foreign workers in Japan.

The number of foreign workers in Japan surpassed 2 million for the first time in October 2023, according to data released on January 26 (Illustrative image: Yolo Japan).

According to data released by Japan's Ministry of Labor on January 26, the number of foreign workers in the country in October 2023 was nearly 2.05 million, a 12.4% increase compared to the same period last year. This increase was also 6.9 percentage points higher than in October 2022.

In terms of nationality, the Vietnamese workforce comprises 518,364 people, accounting for 25.3%. This is followed by the Chinese workforce (397,918 people) and the Filipino workforce (226,846 people).

By residency status, the number of visas granted to skilled individuals increased the most, by 24.2%, to 595,904 people. Within this group, the number classified as "specified skilled workers" surged by 75.2%, to 138,518 people, including nearly 69,500 Vietnamese and nearly 25,600 Filipinos.

Japan established the "Specified Skilled Worker" visa category to alleviate labor shortages in various sectors. Applicants for this visa must pass a skills and Japanese language test. Many visa holders work in manufacturing or nursing.

Highly skilled professionals include researchers, engineers, and managers. This group receives special accommodation benefits, based on their work history and annual income.

Although the weak yen has somewhat reduced Japan's attractiveness to foreign workers, the number of workers coming to the country continues to increase. The biggest reason, according to Nikkei , is that income levels in Japan remain relatively high.

Political and economic instability in other countries is also driving workers to Japan. The number of workers in Myanmar, where the military seized power in 2021, has increased by 49.9% compared to last year.

Highly skilled professionals are permitted to bring family members into Japan with the visas they are granted. The total number of foreigners holding family-based residency visas in June 2023 was approximately 245,000, double the number from a decade earlier.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/the-gioi/nguoi-viet-dong-nhat-trong-so-lao-dong-nuoc-ngoai-tai-nhat-20240127190340405.htm