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.
- Top nationalities: China 930,428 (+57,142); Vietnam 681,100 (+46,739); South Korea 407,341 (−1,897)
- Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) holders: 390,296, up by 105,830 year-on-year — the largest absolute increase by status of residence in this release
- The release was issued as part of ISA's 2026 (Reiwa 8) press release series
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)