Job Demand in Japan for Foreign Workers

The number of foreign workers in Japan continues to increase year by year. At one point, the rate of increase dropped significantly due to the impact of COVID-19, but by 2023 had almost returned to pre-COVID levels. 

Foreign workers can be seen in all industries, but certain occupations are particularly popular and in demand for foreign workers. 

In this article, we will introduce the occupations most popular with foreign workers, and address the job demand in Japan for foreign nationals. 

Table of Contents

1. Number of Foreign Workers in Japan [Latest 2024]
2. Job Demand in Japan for Foreign Workers
3. Why Foreign Workers Choose Japan
4. Most Popular Occupations in Japan for Foreign Workers [Latest 2024]
5. Jobs Available According to Status of Residence
6. Find a Job in Japan with WeXpats

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Number of Foreign Workers in Japan [Latest 2024]

According to a 2023 Survey by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, the number of foreign workers in Japan has finally surpassed 2 million, reaching 2,048,675. 

This is an increase of 225,950 people compared to the same period of the previous year, and at a rate of 12.4% from last year. It can be said that the momentum from pre-COVID 19 has been regained.

Image from MHLW. 

The nationality with the highest proportion of foreign workers is Vietnamese, accounting for 25.3% of the total. They are followed by Chinese (including Hong Kong and Macau) and Filipinos. In terms of growth rate, Indonesians (a 56% increase from the previous year) and Myanmar nationals (a 49.9% increase from the previous year) stand out. Many companies consider these countries as “the next strong candidates after Vietnam” in terms of the labour market. 

Despite concerns about foreign workers leaving Japan due to the weak yen, the data shows that many people still find Japan an attractive place to work. There are workplaces that accommodate foreign workers, offering appropriate compensation and providing good benefits.

※ MHLW, “「外国人雇用状況」の届出状況まとめ（令和５年10月末時点）” [2024.01.26] 

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Job Demand in Japan for Foreign Workers

There is a high job demand in Japan for foreign workers. Why? Because hiring foreign workers comes with many benefits to Japanese companies. 

Here are some reasons for the high demand for foreign workers in Japan.

Hiring Foreign Workers Resolves Labour Shortages

Japan’s working population continues to decline as the country suffers from a low birth rate and ageing population. Talent is concentrated in large, well-known companies and companies in urban areas with good salaries. This leaves companies in rural areas and small to medium-sized enterprises with difficulties attracting applicants. Hiring foreign workers could help overcome this labour shortage.

Many are Young People

Another benefit that contributes to the high demand for foreign workers in Japan is that it is easier to hire young people. This is because most foreign nationals who come to Japan for work are in their 20s and 30s. In addition, there are many foreign nationals who come to Japan as international students who go on to work in Japan. 

Multilingual Proficiency

In today’s increasingly globalised world, Japanese companies aiming to expand inbound business or enter overseas markets cannot do without staff who can speak foreign languages, such as English or Chinese. 

It’s not just about language; a native-level understanding of their home country’s values and culture is equally valuable. Such individuals can be highly valuable in conducting market research for overseas markets.This perspective can be a real advantage when conducting market research for overseas markets.

New Perspectives and Values

There are many Japanese companies that still hold onto longstanding and inefficient practices, such as requiring physical stamps on documents, a culture that glorifies overtime, and unnecessary regular meetings. Foreign employees have the potential to question these “norms” in Japan and bring a fresh perspective. 

In fact, there are open-minded companies that have achieved greater efficiency and performance by listening to foreign employees’ suggestions. 

While differences in opinions can sometimes lead to problems, a willingness to compromise could help companies evolve and update their company’s values. 

Promotion of Diversity

Updating company values is key to promoting diversity within an organization.

As Japan faces a growing labor shortage, businesses need to create environments where people of all backgrounds—regardless of age, gender, nationality, religion, or physical abilities—can succeed.

Hiring foreign employees is one way to achieve this. For instance, employing Muslim workers who observe prayer times and dietary restrictions may present challenges, but seeing colleagues from different cultural backgrounds thriving can be a positive and motivating influence on others in the workplace.

Why Foreign Workers Choose Japan

There are many reasons why foreign nationals choose to work in Japan. Though it is true that many choose to work in Japan to earn higher wages, that is not the case for everyone. 

For example, some people come to Japan because working in Japan will help with career advancement. In countries outside Japan where Japanese companies carry out operations, being able to speak Japanese and having work experience in Japan comes as a big advantage. 

In addition, there are people who become interested in Japan because of anime, manga, etc. Japanese culture, and want to try experiencing living in Japan. 

Read about “Reasons to Start Working in Japan” here. Find out what other reasons people have to work in Japan and get inspired. 

Most Popular Occupations in Japan for Foreign Workers [2024]

In this part, we will introduce the occupations with the most foreign workers based on the results of the 2023 Survey by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare. 

7th Place: Information Technology Industry 

The information technology industry has 85,401 foreign workers.

In Japan’s information technology sector, the number of foreign workers in technical roles, such as IT engineers, is steadily increasing. 

Japan is currently facing a shortage of IT professionals as it struggles to keep up with the rapidly growing demand and advancements in technology. As a result, the country is actively seeking to hire foreign workers. 

In many countries, early IT education is more advanced. As such, hiring foreign workers not only helps address Japan’s labour shortage, but also offers the benefit of securing highly skilled professionals. 

Interested in becoming an IT professional? These articles may come in handy:

• A Guide to Becoming a Web Developer in Japan
• Top IT Companies in Japan and Average Salary for Japan’s IT Industry

6th Place: Medical and Welfare

The medical and welfare industry has 90,839 foreign workers, among which 606,660 people are working in the welfare and nursing care sector. 

Due to the rapidly growing demand for nursing care facilities driven by an ageing population and high turnover rates, many facilities are experiencing shortage of workers. As a result, this industry is seeing a significant increase in the employment of foreign workers.

In the nursing care sector, foreign workers can be employed with status of residences such as “Nursing Care (介護)”, “EPA Care Worker Candidate (EPA介護福祉士候補者)”, “Technical Intern (技能実習)” and “Specified Skilled Worker (特定技能)”. 

In recent years, more care workers from Vietnam, the Philippines, Indonesia and Nepal have joined through the Specified Skilled Worker programme. In 2023, a Nepalese who became director of a care facility in Fukuoka Prefecture made the news. 

Interested in becoming a caregiver or social worker in Japan? These articles may come in handy:

• What is Kaigo (介護)? Work as a Caregiver in Japan
• Social Work in Japan: A Growing Need for Social Workers & Care Workers

5th Place: Construction Industry

The construction industry has 144,981 foreign workers.

The construction industry often struggles to attract young workers due to its reputation of demanding physical labour and being a high risk job. Despite the growing need for construction, the workforce is ageing. As baby boomers who support the industry retire from the year 2025, an even greater labour shortage is expected. 

The hiring of foreign workers in the construction industry began to increase around the time construction projects for the Tokyo Olympics started. Employing foreign workers aligns well with the needs of the construction industry, as it allows for easier recruitment of younger employees.

Interested in this industry? Have a look at our related articles:

• How to Become an Architect in Japan

4th Place: Accommodation and Food Service Industry

The accommodation and food service industry has 233,911 foreign workers, accounting for 11.4% of the total. Of these, 198,901 work in food service, and 32,403 work in accommodation. Both sectors are showing a rise in demand due to growing inbound tourism. 

In the food service industry, a large proportion of foreign workers are international students working part-time while engaged in other activities other than that permitted under status of residence (資格外活動). There is also a trend of hiring long-term foreign residents based on status or position (定住者).

While the proportion of foreign workers in the accommodation industry is lower compared to food services, there has been a growing movement to hire more foreign workers to meet the surge in demand post-COVID-19. This trend is likely to continue.

Interested in these industries? Have a look at our related articles:

• How to Get a Hotel Job in Japan
• Guide to Becoming a Chef in Japan

3rd Place: Wholesale and Retail Trade Industry

The wholesale and retail trade industry has 263,555 foreign workers, accounting for 12.9% of the total. 

Talent proficient in foreign languages has become indispensable for global trade businesses. Hiring individuals from client countries not only ensures language fluency but also brings a deep understanding of the culture and values of those nations, which helps facilitate smoother communication. 

In the retail sector, the increase in inbound tourism has created a growing need for staff who can provide service and sales in foreign languages. This is especially crucial in busy commercial areas and tourist destinations, where securing multilingual staff is a high priority.

Additionally, in urban retail—particularly convenience stores—a high proportion of foreign part-time staff are international students.

2nd Place: Other Services Industry

The other services industry has 320,755 foreign workers, accounting for 15.7% of the total. 

This category includes all service industries aside from accommodation and food services (above), such as security, automobile repair and maintenance, and building maintenance. 

Of these 320,755 workers, 163,555 are employed through temporary staffing arrangements (dispatch workers). 

1st Place: Manufacturing Industry

The industry with the most number of foreign workers is the manufacturing industry with 552,399 workers, making up 27% of the total foreign workforce.

The manufacturing industry struggles with training its workforce, leading to a chronic shortage of skilled workers on production lines. Additionally, factories operating 24/7 often require workers to cover day, evening, and night shifts, which, due to the demanding nature of the job, makes it difficult to attract young applicants.

In terms of subsectors, food manufacturing employs the highest number of foreign workers at 169,483, followed by transportation equipment manufacturing (95,338) and metal products manufacturing (55,132).

A notable feature of the manufacturing industry is that many companies employ foreign workers through the Technical Intern Training Programme, with 48.3% of foreign manufacturing workers in Japan working as technical interns.

Compared to customer-facing roles, manufacturing jobs require lower Japanese language skills, making it relatively easier for foreign workers to enter the industry. Additionally, the work is task-focused, which lowers the training burden for companies and makes it easier to start employment.

※ MHLW, “「外国人雇用状況」の届出状況まとめ（令和５年10月末時点）” [2024.01.26] 

Jobs Available According to Status of Residence

A “Status of Residence (在留資格)” is a qualification that allows foreign nationals to engage in activities in Japan. 

There are 2 types of status of residence for foreign workers: status-based and employment-based. Status-based residence statuses, such as “Permanent Resident (永住者)” or “Spouse of Japanese National (日本人の配偶者等)”, does not restrict the type of jobs one can work. However, employment-based residence statutes are tied to specific job categories. 

In this part, we will explain the jobs and occupations available under the 3 most popular employment-based statuses of residence: “Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services”, “Specified Skilled Worker” and “Technical Intern”. 

Image from MHLW. 

Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services (技術・人文知識・国際業務)

According to the 2023 Survey by MHLW, 366,168 out of 2,048,675 foreign workers in Japan hold this type of status of residence. 

To qualify for the Engineer and Humanities visa, the following conditions must be fulfilled.

• Educational or professional background must be related to the job’s duties
• Must have graduated from a university abroad, Japanese university or a Japanese vocational school
• Wages and benefits must be equal to or greater than those of Japanese employees
• The employing company’s financial status must be stable
• The role must require a certain level of specialised knowledge

If the applicant does not satisfy the educational requirements, they may still qualify with relevant work experience. The required years of experience are 10 years in the fields of engineering or humanities, and 3 years in international services.

This status of residence permits employment in 3 fields: “Engineering,” “Humanities,” and “International Services.” The types of jobs available in each field are introduced below.

Engineering (技術)

The “Engineering” category mostly consists of occupations related to scientific and engineering knowledge. 

• Systems Engineer
• Web Developer
• CAD Operator
• Programmer
• Civil Engineer
• Aviation Maintenance
• Machine Design and Development
• Mechanical Engineering
• Information Security Engineer
• People engaged in research, development and design of architecture and civil engineering
• Game development including system design and operation maintenance

In addition to the above, if the job is deemed to require skills and knowledge in areas such as science, engineering, and natural sciences, a status of residence may be granted.

Humanities (人文知識)

The “Humanities” category includes occupations that require knowledge of law, economics, sociology, etc. 

• Consultant
• Marketing
• Publicity
• Sales
• Accounts
• Finance
• Legal
• Human Resources
• General Affairs
• Planning

It’s helpful to think of these roles as equivalent to general positions in regular companies. Many foreign employees have roles in overseas marketing and planning products and services for inbound customers.

International Services (国際業務)

The “International Services” category includes occupations that require international knowledge and skills.

• Interpretation
• Translation
• Designer
• Foreign Language Teacher 
• International Trade
• Front Desk Reception for Hotel’s with mainly foreign guests

In addition, status of residence may also be granted for customer service roles in stores serving primarily foreign tourists or in duty-free shops at airports.

Specified Skilled Worker (特定技能)

“Specified Skilled Worker” is a status of residence granted to foreign nationals who have been recognised as having a certain level of Japanese proficiency and skills in specific industries where labour shortages are particularly severe.

Specific Work (12 Industries)

1. Nursing Care: excluding visiting services 
2. Building Cleaning Management: cleaning of interiors 
3. Industrial Product Manufacturing (previously: Machine Parts and Tooling / Industrial Machinery / Electric / Electronic Information): metal processing, equipment assembly, metal surface treatment, paper container / cardboard manufacturing, concrete product manufacturing, ceramic product manufacturing, textile product manufacturing, sewing, RPF manufacturing, printing / bookbinding
4. Construction: architecture, construction, lifelines, facilities
5. Shipbuilding and Ship Machinery: welding, painting, ironwork, finishing, machining, electrical equipment assembly
6. Automobile Repair and Maintenance: daily inspection and maintenance, periodic inspection and maintenance, specific maintenance
7. Aviation: airport ground handling, aircraft maintenance
8. Accommodation: front desk work, planning / public relations, customer service, restaurant services at inns and hotels
9. Agriculture: crop farming, agriculture farming
10. Fishery and Aquaculture: fishing, aquaculture
11. Manufacture of Food and Beverages: food and beverage processing and manufacturing (excluding alcoholic beverages), ensuring safety and hygiene
12. Food Service: food and beverage preparation, customer service, store management

In addition to the above, it has been announced in February 2024, that 4 additional sectors will be added: “Automobile Transportation”, “Railway”, “Forestry” and “Lumber”. 

Read more about Specified Skilled Workers (SSW) here. 

Technical Intern (技能実習)

“Technical Intern” is a status of residence granted to foreign nationals who come to Japan to engage in technical training. This program allows individuals from developing countries to acquire Japanese skills and knowledge through practical training, which they can then apply to the development of their home countries.

Though the primary purpose is skill acquisition, technical interns contribute significantly to companies facing labour shortages, as they work and train simultaneously.

Industries that Accept Technical Intern Trainees

• Agriculture: crop farming, livestock farming
• Fishery: fishing, aquaculture
• Construction: well drilling, sheet metal work, scaffolding, plastering, etc.
• Food Manufacturing: canning, bread production, beef and pork processing, etc.
• Textiles and Apparel: spinning, weaving, dyeing, etc.
• Machinery and Metal: casting, metal pressing, plating, electronic assembly, etc.
• Others: automobile maintenance, building cleaning, nursing care, railway vehicle maintenance, etc.
• Company-specific Certified Roles: airport ground handling, boiler maintenance

The “Technical Intern” status of residence is divided into 3 categories: “Type 1”, “Type 2” and “Type 3”. The period of stay for “Type 1” is 1 year and 2 years each for “Type 2” and “Type 3” to a maximum period of stay of 5 years in total. 

If technical intern trainees pass the required technical exams, they can transition to the “Specified Skilled Worker” status of residence. Progressing to Specified Skilled Worker Type 2 allows for long-term employment in Japan, 

The Technical Intern Training Programme will transition to become the Ikusei-Shuro Programme (育成就労制度) in 2027. 

Read more about the Ikusei-Shuro Programme here. 

※ MHLW, “「外国人雇用状況」の届出状況まとめ（令和５年10月末時点）” [2024.01.26] 

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