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In a poll of Japan taken last year, 58.2% of people opposed extending the foreign worker program, compared with 71.8% two years ago—a drop for the first time in recent years. The trend is also a sign of rising concern with immigration as Japan faces an increasing labour shortage, prompting serious questions regarding the future of migrant workers in Japan and the policy measures aimed at safeguarding their interests.
Quick Facts on Japan Foreign Workers
| Metric | Figure |
| Increase in the number of foreign workers (2026) | 58.2% |
| Opposition to an increased number of foreign workers (2026) | 33.2% |
| Change in support since 2024 | 13.6 percentage points (dropped) |
| The number of foreigners working in Japan (as of October 2025) | ~2.57 million |
| A rise in the number of foreign workers from one year to the next | 13 |
| The most important worry of opponents | Public safety (74%) |
| The most frequently mentioned reason for the support. | Easing labour shortages (85.5%) |
Why Public Opinion Is Shifting
Two years ago, almost 75% of the Japanese were receptive to the influx of more foreign workers into Japan. The number is down more than 13 percentage points today. There are multiple reasons.
74% of those who opposed said they were concerned that public security, such as illegal overstays and integration failures, could affect communities. More than half believed that the Japanese nationals who are unemployed should be given preference in allocated jobs, and approximately half were concerned that the foreigners in Japan might not conform to the community norms. Opposition was raised over the welfare costs, language barriers and the general lack of awareness that Japan was slowly moving toward mass immigration.
The generations are distinct. Almost 40% of those aged 30 and up did not favour increasing the number of foreigners in Japan, while over one-third of the young people aged 18-29 did. Ironically, it is younger generations who feel the economic strain of an ageing, shrinking population that are pushing back the most.
The Case for Foreign Workers Hasn’t Changed
The foreign workers’ supporters put forth the clear message that Japan simply needs foreign workers to keep its economy going. The fact that Japan has experienced a decrease in its population is known, and this is reflected in the Japanese labour market in 2026. Foreign workers are no longer an addition to Japan’s workforce: in October 2025, Japan had some 2.57 million migrant workers, an increase for 13 consecutive years. It’s a structural pillar.
The most popular answer among those supporting the policy was to relieve the labour shortage (85.5%). Some 62% stated that Japan requires younger people to make up for an ageing population. Some mentioned the economic importance of foreign skilled workers in Japan and the increasing importance of Japan in international trade and culture.
What the Government Is Doing
Japan’s new conservative government under Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has embarked on the road to building an “orderly society of coexistence” – a concept that recognizes the need for foreign workers to be accepted in society, but also aims to address public anxieties over social order.
On the policy side, one of the key changes in the near future is the planned removal of the much-criticised Technical Intern Training system and its replacement by the new “employment for skill development” system, which will be implemented from fiscal year 2027. By changing this, they are looking towards years of pressure from concerns over exploitation in the old systems and a significant move towards more ethical integration systems for migrant workers.
The Specified Skilled Worker visa pathway is also growing; however, integration support, language access and housing assistance are not uniformly provided by each region.
What This Means for Migrant Workers on the Ground
Even if public support for Japan migrants declines, it does not necessarily equate to policy changes for those who are already residing and working in Japan. The labour shortage in Japan is not simply a problem of supply and demand, and no government can simply turn a blind eye to 2.57 million workers in industries from farm to construction to hospitality, holding these industries up.
But sentiment matters. If the public is not as welcoming, it can lead to slower reforms, weaker protection, and less political appetite for investment in infrastructure for integrating foreign workers. This can also lead to scrutiny of visas, stricter implementation and/or a slowdown in the expansion of the programme of Specified Skilled Workers.
Advocacy groups have long called for migrant workers to have more clearly defined avenues to permanent residency, better labour rights and greater access to language education in Japan. Those pushes are more difficult in a political climate where public sympathy is waning.
Comparison: Public Support Over Time
| Year | Support (%) | Opposition (%) |
| 2024 | 71.8% | 21.1% |
| 2025 | 62.3% | 30.5% |
| 2026 | 58.2% | 33.2% |
FAQs on Japan Foreign Workers
How many foreign workers will there be in Japan in 2026?
As of October 2025, the number of foreign workers employed in Japan is about 2.57 million, which is the largest ever and the 13th straight year of growth.
What is the reason for the reduction in the acceptance of foreign workers in Japan?
It is due to the general public’s security concerns and the job opportunities for local people. The level of opposition has increased from 21.1% in 2024 to 33.2% in 2026.
What is the Specified Skilled Worker visa in Japan?
This visa is for bringing in foreign workers in Japan in occupations where there is severe labor shortage such as food services, construction, and nursing care. The programme has been gradually growing and expanding.
What will take the place of the Technical Intern Training programme?
A new “employment for skill development” scheme is proposed to be implemented in FY2027, tackling the problem of exploitation as in the previous scheme.
Which age group is most opposed to more foreign workers?
The 60s are most strongly against more foreign workers. The youngest age group – 18-29 years – had the next highest level of opposition, at just under a third, whilst those in their thirties had almost 40% oppose the measure.
The labour shortage in Japan is not going away, the population is not any younger, and the 2.57 million individuals driving Japan’s economy are definitely not invisible. The key question for Japanese immigration policy in 2026 will be how to win the sceptical public over, while keeping the migrant workers from being left behind.
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