From The Japan Times · Jessica Speed · · 50s
Foreign residents hit record 3.48% of Japan's population
Japan's foreign residents reach 3.48% of total population, up 3.8% from last year.
In brief
Japan's foreign residents reach 3.48% of total population, up 3.8% from last year. Japan's foreign resident population grew to 4.28 million, representing 3.48% of the total population, according to government data. Originally reported by The Japan Times.
Foreign residents reach record 3.48%
Japan's foreign resident population grew 3.8% to a record 4.28 million in the first half of 2026.
Population figures from Immigration Services Agency
The number of foreign residents reached 4,281,026 as of the end of June, up 155,631 from the end of 2025.
Residence status overstayers decline
Residence status overstayers fell 4.8% to just over 65,000 in the first half of 2026.
Foreign population growth rate
The increase compares with a 5.0% rise in the number of foreign residents during the first half of 2025.
In short
Japan's foreign resident population grew to 4.28 million, representing 3.48% of the total population, according to government data.
