Japan's Immigration Services Agency reports 4,125,395 foreign residents at end-2025, a 9.5% year-on-year rise. Specified Skilled Worker holders jumped by 105,830 to reach 390,296.
Japan's Immigration Services Agency (ISA) has published end-of-2025 figures showing 4,125,395 foreign residents in Japan — an increase of 356,418 (+9.5%) from the previous year and a new record high.
The continued sharp rise in SSW numbers underscores the ongoing expansion of Japan's framework for accepting foreign workers across designated industry fields.
For the full picture of this fast-growing system, see our explainer, What is the Specified Skilled Worker system?.
Source: Immigration Services Agency — Foreign Residents at End of Reiwa 7 (2025)
