The number of foreign residents in Japan reached a record high. While the government is considering "quantitative management" of the scale of admissions, companies are expected to foster co-creation through education.
The number of foreign residents in Japan reached approximately 4.28 million, a record high as of the end of June 2026. Reports said the figure had increased by approximately 155,000 from the end of 2025.
While the business community is calling for greater acceptance of foreign workers amid labour shortages, the government is considering whether to approve the scale of admissions and is said to be planning to formulate a basic policy during fiscal 2026. A symposium held in Nagoya introduced initiatives to support the participation and retention of foreign workers.
Experts identified the question of whether companies can be built together with young foreign workers as a challenge. They said companies should view education as an investment in human resources rather than a cost, making the enhancement of in-house education important.