Japan is growing more dependent on foreign labor. Japan Opening Its Market For Foreign Labour Japan’s Growing Demand For International Employees Many businesses need assistance due to a shortage of labor and a decline in youth. Businesses and job seekers face both possibilities and problems as a result of this shift. Because its population is ageing and fewer individuals can work, Japan needs additional workers. There is a shortage of workers in sectors including healthcare, manufacturing, retail, and hospitality. The government has loosened visa requirements in order to allow more skilled and semi-skilled individuals to enter and work. This page describes the reasons for Japan’s increased need for foreign labour, the sectors that most urgently require them, and the steps and criteria involved in applying for a work visa.
The Growth of Japan’s Foreign Workforce
By 2024, there will be 2.3 million foreign workers in Japan, a rapidly increasing number. That is the most significant growth since 2008 and is around 254,000 higher than the previous year. This demonstrates how Japan depends increasingly on foreign labor to maintain a robust economy and cover employment shortages.
- The number of foreign workers in Japan has almost quadrupled in the last ten years. By 2019, there were more than 1.6 million, up from 788,000 in 2014. Japan made it easy for overseas laborer’s to acquire employment, even under COVID-19.
- With increasing businesses depending on foreign labor, Japan’s labor laws are evolving. The government has modified immigration laws and expanded visa alternatives in response to a decline in local labor. Japan has to encourage and integrate foreign workers in order to maintain a robust economy.
Japan’s Industries Most Affected by the Labor Shortage
Industries in Japan that need employees daily are understaffed. Due to severe labor shortages, companies in the retail, hotel, and manufacturing sectors recruit foreign labor to stay in business.
Shops
Japan’s retail industry suffers from a shortage of local workers, particularly young ones. For positions like cashiers, salespeople, and shelf stocking, convenience shops, supermarkets, and department stores are increasingly depending on foreign labor. Many shops provide cultural training and linguistic assistance to help employees blend in and better serve consumers.
Greetings
As more tourists visit Japan, the country’s hotels, restaurants, and tourism industries require more employees. Foreign employees assist with cleaning, meals, and visitors. Businesses continued to hire them after the epidemic to remain open and provide multilingual customer service.
Production Japanese manufacturing firms rely on foreign labor, particularly.
In the manufacturing of automobiles, electronics, and food. To acquire employment skills, many people enrol in the Technical Intern Training Program (TITP). Even with fewer local labor, they support reliable supply networks and manufacturers.
Options for Foreign Workers in Japan Regarding Visas
To address employment shortages, Japan offers a variety of work visas. These visas aid in the employment of skilled and semi-skilled workers. Before working in Japan, it’s essential to understand the regulations and prerequisites for each visa.
Visa for Specified Skilled Workers (SSW)
Foreign workers in businesses that need additional labor are eligible for the Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) Visa. It enables people to work in industries such as manufacturing, food services, caregiving, and construction. This visa comes in two varieties:
SSW-1: Needs a Japanese language proficiency exam and a skills evaluation. Although it is renewable, family sponsorship and permanent residency are not permitted.
SSW-2: Provides family sponsorship and permanent residence. Only employees with advanced training and experience in qualified sectors are eligible.
Professional Visa for Highly Skilled Individuals
The Highly Skilled Professional Visa uses a points system to draw in professionals in fields such as education, research, finance, and technology. Points are awarded according to research accomplishments, income, employment experience, and education. Processing visa applications with priority Fast-track permanent residence eligibility
Permission to bring domestic help and relatives
Work Visas for Professionals, Teachers, and Engineers
This visa is intended for professionals with expertise in engineering, education, and IT. It permits foreign workers to hold positions requiring specialized knowledge and technical abilities. Among the prerequisites are
- An official offer of employment from a Japanese company
- Professional experience or relevant credentials
- Observance of Japan’s immigration laws
Visa for Technical Intern Training
The Technical Intern Training Program (TITP) in Japan includes the Technical Intern Training Visa. It provides practical experience in occupations such as construction, farming, and manufacturing. Helping workers from developing nations acquire new skills and apply them back home is the aim. But the project has come under fire because of
- Restricted job mobility and harsh working circumstances
- Reports of worker exploitation and inadequate pay
- Transitioning from training to a full-time job may be difficult.
Certificates, degrees, or diplomas relevant to the role
Work history, letters of recommendation, or portfolio pieces that highlight your proficiency in your industry.
Proof of Japanese language competency may be necessary depending on the kind of visa, especially for jobs involving direct consumer contact. For your visa application, include passport-sized pictures and official identity papers.
Locating a Sponsor for Your Employer An employment offer from a Japanese business is required for the majority of work visas, such as those for teachers, engineers, and professionals. Your employer supplies crucial paperwork, like your employment contract and corporate information, and sponsors your visa. Employers often assist with the visa application procedure, but you should confirm that they are aware of the criteria.
Speaking with an Immigration Specialist
The visa application procedure for Japan might be challenging, particularly if you are unfamiliar with the criteria. It might be made simpler with the assistance of a legal counsel or immigration specialist. They provide you with advice on paperwork, eligibility for a visa, and the application procedure. They also assist in avoiding delays and resolving issues. Severe labor shortages are the leading cause of Japan’s economic collapse, which has seen it fall from third to sixth position internationally. The nation’s financial and GDP development ambitions are being hampered by the ageing population and falling birth rates, which are also adding gasoline to the fire. But because of its reputation for resilience, Japan has taken a number of steps to address the labor shortage and spur economic development across a range of industries. Let’s examine the causes of Japan’s labor scarcity and how this presents a fantastic chance for talented foreigners to establish a career in Japan.
Current Employment Situation in Japan
As 2025 draws to a close, Japan’s labor market is expected to change dramatically as a result of changing workplace dynamics, technology breakthroughs, changing demographics, and a policy of bringing in foreign talent to cover labor shortages. The following are the main themes influencing Japan’s vibrant labor market in 2025
- A severe labor shortage brought on by Japan’s ageing population and low birth rates is having an impact on the nation’s development strategy and status as a major global economic force.
- Skilled expertise is highly sought after, particularly in the industrial, healthcare, and technology sectors.
Despite the impending labor crisis, Japan’s unemployment rate is relatively low and is predicted to drop from 2.6% in 2024 to 2.4% in 2025. - With 124 positions available for 100 job seekers, the job-to-applicant ratio is still high. In order to fill the positions, Japanese businesses have been compelled to raise pay and consider internal talent.
- There is a significant lack of workers in Japan’s IT industry, which needs over 2,20,000 IT specialists to satisfy
- demand. Cloud computing, AI, data science, and cybersecurity are particular fields that are in high demand.
- Japanese businesses are moving away from conventional methods of selecting applicants based on their loyalty
- and potential for long-term success in favour of specialised knowledge.
In their employment practices, the majority of Japanese businesses place a strong emphasis on Diversity, - Equity, and Inclusion (DEI).
- Despite the high demand for foreign talent in the Japanese labour market, assimilating them into Japanese workplace culture and overcoming language hurdles remains a significant difficulty.
- Japan is expected to have 3.77 million foreign workers by 2035, up from 2.05 million in 2023.
What Are the Causes of Japan’s Labor Shortages
The following are the leading causes of Japan’s labor shortage One of the biggest obstacles to addressing Japan’s labor shortfall is the country’s ageing population, with a sizable percentage approaching retirement age. There is an acute lack of young workers in Japan as a result of the country’s precipitously declining birth rate. Foreign talent finds it challenging to establish a career in Japan due to the country’s historically strict immigration laws when compared to other industrialized nations. Specific foreign talents may find it challenging to relocate to Japan due to the country’s work culture and linguistic hierarchy structures, particularly if they are from Western nations like the USA, Canada, the UK, etc. Japan’s Most Affected Industries by the Labor Shortage All sectors of Japan continue to struggle with a labor shortage, although the primary industries most negatively impacted are construction, IT services, healthcare, hotel management, and logistics. By encouraging women to work, the Japanese government is attempting to close the gaps in labor shortages. However, this migration has resulted in a considerable decrease in labor productivity. Based on the job-to-applicant ratio, the following sectors in Japan have the most significant labor shortages.
Commonly Asked Questions
Does Working in Japan Require Knowing Japanese
The kind of visa and the employment determine the language requirements. Some jobs, particularly those that involve interacting with customers, need fluency in Japanese, whereas technical or foreign jobs may not.
I have a work visa; may I change jobs
Yes, however, you need to get the Immigration Bureau’s clearance and amend your visa status. Your visa must be sponsored by your new employment as well.
How Can a Foreigner Find Employment in Japan
Employer-sponsored initiatives, networking gatherings, and recruiting websites are all available to job searchers. In industries where there is a labor shortage, many companies explicitly search for foreign talent. In the future, Japan will probably employ more foreign labor. Although issues like worker rights, visa procedures, and employment regulations still exist, progress is being made. For Japan to prosper, its immigration and economic policies must be balanced. More career chances and a chance to succeed in Japan are what this implies for international workers.Japan Opening Its Market For Foreign Labour How to Apply for a Japanese Work Visa
It requires meticulous preparation to get a work visa for Japan. You must satisfy the criteria for the visa, prepare the necessary paperwork, and follow the procedures needed to make the process smoother.
Finding the Correct Visa Type
Selecting the appropriate work visa for your profession and skill set is the first step in obtaining one for Japan. Japan offers a variety of visas for professionals, interns, and skilled workers. Choose a visa based on your experience, occupation, and language proficiency.
Getting the Required Documents Ready
Getting the necessary paperwork is the next step after determining whether a visa is correct for you. Important papers consist of: