A more global Japan, one municipality at a time

I read an article today about how more than 10 percent of the population in 27 municipalities across Japan are now foreign residents, a figure that researchers once thought wouldn't be reached nationwide until 2070. As someone living here for quite some time now, I found that pretty remarkable, but also not entirely surprising.

The article also mentioned that the number of foreign residents reached 3.76 million by the end of last year, up by a record 350,000 in just one year. Many of these communities are in industrial or tourist areas, places where foreign workers and international students have become an essential part of local life.

Where I live (close to a large international university), it's easy to see how this mix of cultures can work well. Students hailing from dozens of countries live, study, and work side by side with Japanese residents, and while there are language hurdles and cultural adjustments, there's also a real sense of exchange and coexistence.

What struck me most about the article was the tone. Even in areas where foreigners now make up 20 percent or more of the population, local officials said coexistence has been smooth. For a country which has long been pretty homogenous, I thought that was a really significant point to make.

Are you noticing a more global Japan in your corner of the country?