The number of foreign workers in Hokkaido reached 51,358 as of the end of October 2025 (Reiwa 7) — up 7,477 (+17.0%) year-on-year — and support schemes to encourage hiring are gathering pace across the prefecture.
- Sapporo City "Foreign Worker Acceptance and Retention Support Programme" (外国人受入・定着支援事業, FY2026/Reiwa 8): open to small and medium-sized enterprises hiring a Specified Skilled Worker (特定技能) foreign national for the first time. Employers use one of three registered support organisations designated by the city, with the employer covering roughly one-third of the cost (the city covers about two-thirds). Support runs from pre-arrival matching through to housing, orientation, Japanese-language learning opportunities and ongoing consultation after joining. Eligible sectors include nursing care, food service, beverage manufacturing, accommodation, agriculture, transport, cleaning, aviation, automobile maintenance and construction, among others.
- Hokkaido "Human Resources Support Programme (Employment Incentive / Employer Support Payment)": 「離職期間が1ヶ月以上の求職者が、令和8年(2026年)4月16日～同年8月15日の間に人手不足が深刻な職種の道内事業所で31日以上在職した場合、就労者に奨励金を10万円、事業者に支援金10万円を支給します！」 ("Where a jobseeker who has been out of work for at least one month remains employed for 31 days or more, between 16 April and 15 August 2026, at a Hokkaido business in an occupation with a severe labour shortage, we will pay a ¥100,000 incentive to the worker and a ¥100,000 support payment to the employer!") A further ¥100,000 is added if the jobseeker had been out of work for a year or more. Applications must be filed within two months of starting work (postmarked by 15 September 2026).
- Important: Hokkaido's incentive is available only to foreign nationals holding a residence status that permits work. Technical Intern Training status holders and foreign nationals not authorised to work are not eligible.
Employers in Hokkaido considering hiring foreign workers should check the application windows and eligibility requirements early.
Source: Sapporo City / Hokkaido / Hokkaido Labour Bureau, "Status of Notifications on Foreign Employment (as of end of October 2025, Reiwa 7)"
