日本在2025年（资料截至10月）接纳了2,571,037名外国劳工，根据劳动省于周五公布的资料显示，这是自2008年有纪录以来首次超过250万（2,500,000）。外国劳动力在2025年成长11.7%，较前一年的增幅低0.7个百分点，但仍连续第三年高于10%。在该期间，外国人约占日本全体受雇者的4%。
按国籍分，越南以约600,000人居首，占总数的23.6%；其次为中国的430,000人，以及菲律宾的260,000人。缅甸劳工增幅最大，上升42.5%；印尼与斯里兰卡亦分别大增34.6%与28.9%。厚生劳动省指出，即使日本与南韩及台湾等目的地竞争人才，仍有部分劳工因日本的整体安全性与文化吸引力而选择日本。
按产业分，医疗与福祉（含照护）部门的外国劳工数增加25.6%，住宿与餐饮增加17.1%，建筑增加16.1%；制造业雇用的外国劳工最多，约为630,000人。政府将导入名为Employment for Skill Development Program的新制度以取代Technical Intern Training Program，预计于2027年4月开始，并在两年内最多接纳426,200人。此一转换旨在回应包含住宿、餐饮与护理在内的17个领域的人力短缺；另有Specified Skilled Worker制度引进较高技能人力，两者合计将允许最多123万（1,230,000）名外国劳工入境。
Japan hosted 2,571,037 foreign workers in 2025 (data through October), labor ministry figures released Friday show, surpassing 2.5 million (2,500,000) for the first time in records dating back to 2008. The foreign workforce grew 11.7% in 2025, down 0.7 percentage point from the previous year’s increase, but still exceeded 10% for a third straight year. Foreigners accounted for roughly 4% of all employees in Japan during that period.
By nationality, Vietnamese ranked first at around 600,000, or 23.6% of the total, followed by 430,000 from China and 260,000 from the Philippines. Myanmar workers recorded the sharpest increase, rising 42.5%, while Indonesia and Sri Lanka also grew strongly at 34.6% and 28.9%, respectively. The Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry said that even as Japan competes with destinations such as South Korea and Taiwan for talent, some workers choose Japan for factors including general safety and cultural draws.
By industry, foreign workers increased 25.6% in medical and welfare, including nursing care, 17.1% in hospitality and dining, and 16.1% in construction, while manufacturing employed the most at roughly 630,000. The government will introduce a new system called the Employment for Skill Development Program to replace the Technical Intern Training Program, slated to begin in April 2027 and accept up to 426,200 workers over two years. The shift targets labor shortages across 17 fields, and alongside the Specified Skilled Worker program, the two frameworks together will permit up to 1.23 million (1,230,000) foreign workers to enter the country.