In May 2026, a Japanese economic media outlet published an analysis on municipalities where the number of foreign residents has increased rapidly in recent years.

However, the important point is not only “how many foreign residents have increased.” From an immigration practice perspective, the key question is: which local industries need which types of foreign workers and visa status?

According to the Immigration Services Agency of Japan, the number of foreign residents in Japan reached 4,125,395 at the end of 2025, exceeding four million for the first time. By status of residence, major categories include Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services, Student, Technical Intern Training, and Specified Skilled Worker.

The Increase in Foreign Residents Reflects Changes in Local Industries

The background behind the increase in foreign residents differs from one region to another.

In areas where semiconductor investment, research and development, or technology-related business is growing, engineers, specialists, intracompany transferees, and their family members may increase. In tourist destinations and areas with strong accommodation or food service industries, Specified Skilled Worker, Technical Intern Training, working holiday, and student part-time workers may support the local economy.

Therefore, when we look at the increase in foreign residents, we should not simply say “foreign residents are increasing.” It is necessary to understand which industry needs which type of visa status.

For Work Visas and Highly Skilled Professionals, Job Duties and Family Stay Matter

In fields such as semiconductors, IT, research and development, international business, translation, interpretation, and overseas transactions, the following statuses of residence may become relevant.

For these statuses, the applicant’s educational background, work experience, actual job duties, salary level, and stability of the employer are important.

Foreign professionals may also come to Japan with their spouse or children. In that case, the employer should consider not only the worker’s status of residence but also dependent visa issues, housing, schools, medical access, and daily life support.

Specified Skilled Worker and Technical Intern Training Support Local Industries

In fields such as tourism, accommodation, food service, food manufacturing, agriculture, fisheries, construction, and nursing care, Specified Skilled Worker and Technical Intern Training have become important systems that support local industries.

At the end of 2025, the number of foreign residents under the Specified Skilled Worker status reached 390,296. This shows that the acceptance of foreign workers is not a temporary phenomenon, but is closely connected with the structure of local economies.

For Specified Skilled Worker, the following points should be checked carefully.

• Whether the field and actual job duties match
• Whether the applicant satisfies the skill test and Japanese language requirements
• Whether the employment contract is appropriate
• Whether the support plan can be implemented properly
• Whether the roles of the employer and registered support organization are clear
• Whether a job change may create immigration issues

Specified Skilled Worker is not simply a system for hiring workers because of labor shortage. Employers are expected to maintain proper employment management and continuous support.

In Areas with International Students, Career Planning After Graduation Is Important

In areas with Japanese language schools, vocational schools, or universities, the increase in international students may also lead to an increase in foreign residents.

After graduation, international students may move to the following statuses of residence.

• Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services
• Specified Skilled Worker
• Designated Activities
• Business Manager
• Change from Dependent status to a work-related status

In these cases, attendance, academic performance, part-time work history, job duties after graduation, and the employment contract are important.

In particular, when changing from Student status to a work visa, the relationship between what the applicant studied at school and what they will do after employment may be examined.

Foreign Residents, Employers, and Local Communities Should Be Considered Together

In areas where foreign residents are increasing, it is not enough to look only at immigration applications.

Local communities also need systems for Japanese language support, consultation services, schools, medical access, housing, disaster prevention, and multicultural coexistence.

The increase in foreign residents is not merely a question of numbers. It is a combined issue involving local industries, employer hiring strategy, the life plans of foreign residents, and community support systems.

Conclusion

In areas where foreign residents are increasing, it is important to understand the industries and visa status behind the change.

In semiconductor and research-related areas, Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services, Highly Skilled Professional, Intracompany Transferee, and Dependent status may be important. In tourism, accommodation, food service, food manufacturing, agriculture, fisheries, construction, and nursing care, Specified Skilled Worker and Technical Intern Training may support local industries. In areas with Japanese language schools or vocational schools, the career path of international students after graduation is also important.

Companies that plan to hire foreign workers should check the status of residence, job duties, employment contract, and support system before hiring.