Japanese municipalities with over 5 percent foreign residents increase 2.5-fold
Baku, October 14, AZERTAC
The number of Japanese municipalities where foreign residents account for over 5 percent of the population rose 2.5-fold, from 53 in 2020 to 132, according to 2025 census data released by the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
The data show increases in foreign populations not only in major cities and industrial districts but also in rural areas where the tourism and agricultural sectors thrive, Jiji Press reported.
The number of foreign residents in Japan hit a record high of 3.84 million, or 3.1 percent of the country's total population. The total rose roughly 40 percent from 2.74 million in the previous census in 2020.
The number of prefectures with municipalities where foreign nationals account for over 5 percent of the population increased from 17 to 27, with Miyagi and Hyogo among those that newly joined the list.
In the previous survey, such municipalities were mainly located in large cities and areas with major manufacturing industries, while in the latest survey, resort areas and regions where agriculture, forestry, and fisheries are the main industries also joined the group where foreign residents account for over 5 percent of the population.
In Hokkaido, the number of such municipalities jumped from five in 2020 to 22.
The increase in rural areas is believed to reflect growing employment of foreign workers amid severe labor shortages.
The highest proportion of foreign residents in Japan was recorded in the town of Kawakami, Nagano, where they accounted for 26.5 percent of the population. Many foreign workers there support the cultivation of lettuce, a local specialty. The proportion rose from 19.0 percent in 2020, when the town also ranked first.
In the village of Shimukappu, Hokkaido, the share of foreign residents roughly doubled to 21.7 percent.
“The opening of a resort facility in 2017 led to increased hiring of foreigners to serve overseas visitors,” a village official said.
The proportion of foreign residents exceeded 10 percent in 21 municipalities, with four recording shares above 20 percent. This marks the first time a census has confirmed municipalities where foreign residents account for more than 20 percent of the population.
Of Japan's 1,741 municipalities, 65 recorded increases in foreign residents that more than offset declines in their Japanese populations, resulting in overall population growth.
Such municipalities include Tokyo's Nerima Ward, Urayasu in Chiba Prefecture and Higashihiroshima in Hiroshima Prefecture, which hosts a large number of foreign students.
The proportion of Chinese nationals in Japan fell to 24.0 percent from 28.5 percent, although they remained the largest foreign nationality group. Meanwhile, the share of residents from Southeast Asia, including Vietnam and Indonesia, increased.
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