What Japan's changing attitudes towards foreign workers means for expats

Living in Japan as a foreigner for a while now, it's easy to notice how much the country has changed over the past decade or so. There are more international residents, more foreign workers in shops, hotels, restaurants, and care facilities, and increasingly, more communities where living alongside people from overseas is simply part of everyday life. I personally think it's a great thing!

In saying that, a new public opinion poll suggests that Japanese attitudes toward accepting more foreign workers are becoming more divided.

The survey found that 58.2% of respondents support or somewhat support accepting more foreign workers, while 33.2% oppose or somewhat oppose the idea. That's a noticeable shift from 2024, when support stood at 71.8% and opposition was just 21.1%.

Interestingly, opposition was particularly strong among younger respondents. Among people in their 30s, 39.5% opposed expanding foreign worker numbers, while 36.9% of those aged 18 to 29 were opposed.

For supporters, the biggest reason was straightforward, and it comes down to the fact that Japan needs workers. An aging population and labor shortages mean foreign workers are increasingly important to industries that many of us rely on every day.

For opponents, the concerns included public safety, people not following community rules, pressure on social security and difficulties adapting to Japanese society. For those of us living in Japan as foreigners, I think it's a reminder that being part of a local community comes with a responsibility to understand and respect the customs, rules, and expectations of the place we call home.