Labor IssuesLast updated: 2026-11-064 min readPublic-source summary

Immigration Services Agency Publishes Foreign Resident Figures for End of June 2026: Record 4,281,026, Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services Above 510,000

This article compiles what Japanese government bodies have published, together with the statutory text. Links to the primary sources are included. For a specific matter, pleasecontact us.

Key Takeaways

  • ✓According to the Immigration Services Agency, the number of foreign residents in Japan at the end of June 2026 was 4,281,026, up 155,631 (3.8%) from 4,125,395 at the end of 2025, a new record
  • ✓This comprises 4,017,321 mid- to long-term residents and 263,705 special permanent residents
  • ✓By status of residence, the largest groups were Permanent Resident (961,342), Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services (516,184, up 8.5%), Student (479,626), Technical Intern Training (457,509) and Specified Skilled Worker (444,256, up 13.8%)
  • ✓Specified Skilled Worker (ii) stood at 18,295, up 130.0% from 7,955 at the end of 2025
  • ✓Business Manager fell by 4,034 (8.6%) to 42,747 from 46,781. Highly Skilled Professional rose 4.6% to 34,474 and Intra-company Transferee rose 0.1% to 19,179
  • ✓The largest nationalities were China, Vietnam, South Korea, the Philippines and Nepal. Tokyo had 824,486 foreign residents, 19.3% of the national total

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Japan's Immigration Services Agency (ISA) has published "Number of Foreign Residents as of the End of June 2026". The number of foreign residents at the end of June 2026 was 4,281,026, an increase of 155,631 (3.8%) on the end of the previous year and a new record.

This page sets out the figures published by the ISA.

Overview

ItemDetail
Issuing authorityImmigration Services Agency of Japan
TitleNumber of Foreign Residents as of the End of June 2026
Reference dateEnd of June 2026
Foreign residents4,281,026 (up 155,631, or 3.8%, on the end of 2025)
Of which mid- to long-term residents4,017,321
Of which special permanent residents263,705
End of 20254,125,395
Number of nationalities and regions195 (excluding stateless persons)

The ISA explains that "mid- to long-term residents" are foreign nationals residing under a status of residence under the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act, other than those granted a period of stay of three months or less, those granted Temporary Visitor, Diplomat or Official status, and certain others. Special permanent residents and persons without a status of residence are not mid- to long-term residents.

By status of residence

The main statuses of residence from the published data (Table 3) are shown below. Changes are against the end of 2025.

Status of residenceEnd of 2025End of June 2026ChangeRate
Permanent Resident947,125961,342+14,217+1.5%
Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services475,790516,184+40,394+8.5%
Student464,784479,626+14,842+3.2%
Technical Intern Training456,618457,509+891+0.2%
Specified Skilled Worker (i) and (ii) combined390,296444,256+53,960+13.8%
Of which Specified Skilled Worker (i)382,341425,961+43,620+11.4%
Of which Specified Skilled Worker (ii)7,95518,295+10,340+130.0%
Dependent352,875370,466+17,591+5.0%
Business Manager46,78142,747−4,034−8.6%
Highly Skilled Professional32,95334,474+1,521+4.6%
Intra-company Transferee19,16119,179+18+0.1%

According to the published data, the largest status of residence is Permanent Resident, followed by Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services, Student, Technical Intern Training and Specified Skilled Worker.

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By nationality or region (top 10)

According to the ISA, all of the top 10 nationalities and regions except Brazil increased compared with the end of the previous year.

RankNationality/regionEnd of June 2026Change
1China941,031+10,603
2Vietnam693,750+12,650
3South Korea408,682+1,341
4Philippines362,761+6,182
5Nepal334,850+33,858
6Indonesia307,456+41,387
7Myanmar211,602+29,035
8Brazil209,550−464
9Sri Lanka85,415+6,287
10Taiwan73,628+372

In addition, there were 71,719 residents from the United States (up 1,932, or 2.8%) and 61,344 from India (up 2,345, or 4.0%).

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By prefecture (top 5)

RankPrefectureEnd of June 2026Change
1Tokyo824,486+23,048 (+2.9%)
2Osaka389,846+14,527
3Aichi369,849+12,049
4Kanagawa331,515+14,162
5Saitama305,867+14,930

Tokyo accounts for 19.3% of the national total.

Sources

  • Immigration Services Agency, "Number of Foreign Residents as of the End of June 2026" (Japanese): https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/publications/press/13_00070.html
  • Published data (PDF, Japanese): https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/content/001472326.pdf

This page is compiled from material published by government agencies and from statutory text. Please consult a lawyer where a decision is needed on a specific matter.

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This article provides general legal information and does not constitute legal advice. For specific legal issues, please consult with a qualified attorney.

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