Why are Vietnamese residents in Japan rising now?

Regional industries need workers, and the community fills roles in factories, farms, and care. The Specified Skilled Worker pathway supports matching by skills and language. Japan immigration statistics show growth spreading beyond large cities, which helps stabilize output and services in more prefectures.

Which sectors benefit most from this labor trend?

Manufacturing, agriculture, logistics, food processing, and caregiving see the largest gains. Vietnamese residents in Japan help cover shifts, meet seasonal peaks, and sustain service levels. Stable staffing protects revenue days and reduces training costs, helping operators maintain delivery times and quality benchmarks.

How should investors use Japan immigration statistics?

Start with prefectures where Vietnamese residents in Japan rank first. Cross-check listed companies with plants, farms, or care facilities in those areas. Then monitor hiring, retention, and overtime trends. Combine this with local spending data to gauge demand for retail, housing, and transport services.

What is the Specified Skilled Worker program?

It is a work visa framework that matches foreign workers to defined sectors based on skills and language checks. For Vietnamese residents in Japan, it opens roles in factories, farms, food service, and care. Clear renewals and training plans help firms reduce churn and keep output stable.

Law and Government

January 03: Vietnamese Residents in Japan 660k, Top in 33 Prefectures

ByDanny Kontos January 3, 2026January 3, 2026

Vietnamese residents in Japan have reached a record of about 660,000 and now rank first among foreign residents in 33 prefectures. For local economies facing a Japan labor shortage, this shift matters. It affects factory staffing, farm output, and care services. We review Japan immigration statistics, the Specified Skilled Worker pathway, and the business impact. Investors can map exposure by prefecture and sector to spot earnings tailwinds or cost risks in 2026 while tracking demand in housing, food, and transport.