Why are there more foreigners in Japan and what are the challenges they face?

Japan is a country that attracts many people from different parts of the world. Some come to Japan for tourism, education, business, or cultural exchange. Others come to Japan for work, family, or permanent residence. According to the 2020 census, there were about 2.8 million foreigners living in Japan, accounting for 2.2% of the total population. This number increased by 43.6% from the previous census in 2015, showing that Japan is becoming more diverse and multicultural.

But why are there more foreigners in Japan? What are the reasons and backgrounds behind this trend? And what are the difficulties and challenges that foreigners face in their daily lives in Japan? In this blog post, I will try to answer these questions based on some data and facts.

One of the main reasons for the increase of foreigners in Japan is the intentional policy of the Japanese government to accept more foreign workers in order to cope with the labor shortage caused by the aging and declining population. In 2019, a new immigration law was enacted to create a new residence status called “specified skilled worker” for foreigners who have certain skills and qualifications in 14 industries that suffer from labor shortage, such as nursing care, construction, hospitality, and food service. The government aims to accept up to 345,000 foreign workers under this status in the next five years.

Another reason for the increase of foreigners in Japan is the natural growth of the foreign population due to factors such as marriage, childbirth, education, and social integration. Many foreigners who come to Japan for work or study end up staying longer or permanently because they get married to Japanese nationals, have children who go to school in Japan, or find better opportunities and lifestyles in Japan. Some foreigners also acquire Japanese citizenship or permanent residence status, which gives them more rights and benefits in Japan.

However, living in Japan as a foreigner is not always easy. There are many challenges and difficulties that foreigners face in their daily lives due to language barriers, cultural differences, social isolation, discrimination, and lack of support. Some of the common problems that foreigners encounter are:

• Language barriers: Many foreigners struggle with communicating in Japanese, especially when it comes to reading and writing. This makes it hard for them to access information, services, and resources that they need in various situations, such as health care, education, taxation, legal matters, and emergency situations. For example, a Chinese friend of mine had a hard time applying for the COVID-19 vaccine because he did not understand the instructions on the vaccination ticket that he received. He had to ask me for help to make an appointment online.

• Low wages: Many foreigners also face limitations in their job opportunities due to their lack of Japanese language skills. Even if they have a valid residence status, they tend to be confined to low-paying jobs that do not require much communication or skills, such as manufacturing, cleaning, or delivery. For example, many Vietnamese workers come to Japan as technical interns or specified skilled workers, but they often work long hours for low wages in harsh conditions.
• Social isolation: Many foreigners also feel isolated from the Japanese society due to their lack of understanding of the Japanese culture, customs, and social system. They may have difficulties making friends, joining community activities, or participating in civic affairs. They may also face discrimination or prejudice from some Japanese people who are not used to interacting with foreigners or who have negative stereotypes about them. For example, some foreign children may be bullied or teased at school because of their appearance or accent.
• Parent-child conflict: Another problem that some foreigners face is the conflict between parents and children due to communication and cultural gaps. Some foreign parents may not be able to speak Japanese well enough to understand their children’s needs, feelings, or problems at school or with friends. Some foreign children may not be able to speak their parents’ native language well enough to express themselves or relate to their parents’ culture or values. This may cause misunderstandings, arguments, or estrangement between parents and children.

These are just some examples of the challenges that foreigners face in Japan. Of course, not all foreigners have the same experiences or difficulties. Some foreigners may enjoy living in Japan and find it rewarding and fulfilling. Some foreigners may overcome these challenges by learning Japanese, adapting to the culture, making friends, finding support, or contributing to the society.

But what will happen in the next 10 years? How will the foreign population and their lives change in Japan? According to some projections by experts and researchers, we can expect some possible scenarios:

• The foreign population will continue to increase and diversify. The government will continue to accept more foreign workers in various fields and sectors, especially in health care, agriculture, and construction. The foreign population will also grow naturally due to marriage, childbirth, and education. More foreigners from different countries and regions will come to Japan, making the society more diverse and multicultural.
• The foreign population will become more integrated and influential. More foreigners will acquire Japanese citizenship or permanent residence status, which will give them more rights and responsibilities in Japan. More foreigners will also participate in social and civic activities, such as volunteering, voting, or running for office. More foreigners will also contribute to the economy, culture, and innovation of Japan, bringing new ideas, perspectives, and talents.
• The foreign population will face more challenges and opportunities. More foreigners will also encounter more difficulties and conflicts due to language barriers, cultural differences, discrimination, or lack of support. However, more foreigners will also find more opportunities and resources to overcome these challenges, such as language education, cultural exchange, social inclusion, or legal protection. More foreigners will also collaborate and cooperate with Japanese people and other foreigners to solve common problems and create a better society.

In conclusion, Japan is a country that is becoming more open and diverse due to the increase of foreigners. This brings both challenges and opportunities for both foreigners and Japanese people. As a foreigner living in Japan, I hope that we can all respect, understand, and appreciate each other’s differences and similarities, and work together to make Japan a better place for everyone.