How Many Foreign Residents Live in Japan and Where Do They Travel For tourism?
Japan is no longer a country where the foreign population represents only a small community. The number of foreign residents has been increasing rapidly, and millions of people from different countries now live, work, study and build their lives in Japan.
For foreign residents who have established their lives in Japan, international travel is also becoming an important part of their lifestyle. Whether they are planning a holiday in France, Italy, Spain, Switzerland or another European destination, understanding the visa process is an important first step.
In this article, we look at the latest official statistics on foreign residents in Japan, permanent residents, the largest foreign communities, and international tourism, followed by practical information for residents of Japan planning a trip to Europe.
How Many Foreign Residents Are There in
Japan?
According to Japan’s Immigration Services Agency, the number of foreign residents in Japan reached 4,125,395 people at the end of 2025.
This was the first time the number exceeded four million.
The foreign-resident population increased by 356,418 people, or 9.5%, compared with the end of 2024. The figure includes both medium- to long-term foreign residents and special permanent residents.
This means that foreign residents now represent a significant part of Japanese society, with communities from many different countries living throughout Japan.
Foreign residents in Japan at a glance
| Category | Number |
|---|---|
| Total foreign residents | 4,125,395 |
| Medium- to long-term residents | 3,858,499 |
| Special permanent residents | 266,896 |
| Permanent residents | 947,125 |
The number of people holding the Japanese Permanent Resident status alone was 947,125 at the end of 2025.
Permanent residents therefore make up approximately 23% of the total foreign-resident population when compared with the overall foreign-resident figure.
Nearly 1 Million Foreign Residents Have Permanent Residence
One of the most interesting developments is the growing number of foreign residents who have obtained permanent residence in Japan.
At the end of 2025, Japan recorded:
947,125 permanent residents.
This is an increase of 29,009 people compared with the previous year.
Permanent residence can represent a significant change in a foreign resident’s life in Japan. Instead of being in Japan temporarily for study, training or a specific employment status, permanent residents may have established a much longer-term connection with the country.
For businesses serving foreign residents, this is an important audience because many foreign residents in Japan are not simply short-term visitors. They work, have families, rent or own homes, maintain bank accounts and participate in Japanese society.
Which Foreign Communities Are the Largest in Japan?
Japan’s foreign population is extremely diverse.
The Immigration Services Agency recorded residents from 196 nationalities or regions at the end of 2025.
The largest communities include people from China, Vietnam, South Korea, the Philippines, Nepal and other countries across Asia and beyond.
The large foreign population also means that Japan has become an increasingly important starting point for international travel.
A person living in Japan may hold a passport from one country while legally residing in Japan. This is particularly important when planning international travel because visa requirements are generally determined by nationality, while the place where an application is submitted is often connected to legal residence.
Where Do Foreign Residents in Japan Live?
Foreign residents are concentrated in several major economic and metropolitan areas.
At the end of 2025, the largest foreign-resident populations by prefecture were:
| Rank | Prefecture | Foreign residents |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tokyo | 801,438 |
| 2 | Osaka | 375,319 |
| 3 | Aichi | 357,800 |
| 4 | Kanagawa | 317,353 |
| 5 | Saitama | 290,937 |
Tokyo alone accounted for approximately 19.4% of Japan’s foreign-resident population.
This concentration is particularly relevant for travel and visa services because Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya and the surrounding metropolitan areas contain some of Japan’s largest international communities.
Do Foreign Residents in Japan Travel Abroad?
Yes, foreign residents can travel internationally from Japan, but there is an important statistical limitation.
Japanese tourism statistics distinguish between foreign residents of Japan and foreign visitors to Japan.
For example, JNTO’s “Visitors to Japan” statistics specifically exclude certain foreign residents, including permanent residents and other categories of people whose principal residence is Japan.
Therefore, the official tourism statistics for “foreign visitors to Japan” should not be interpreted as statistics showing where foreign residents of Japan themselves travel.
There is currently no simple official nationwide table saying, for example, “X% of foreign residents in Japan travel to France, Y% travel to Korea, and Z% travel to Italy.”
However, the broader international travel environment shows that overseas travel from Japan is substantial.
In 2025, Japan recorded approximately 14.73 million departures by Japanese nationals, while foreign international arrivals into Japan reached record levels.
What Are the Most Popular International Destinations Connected With Japan?
For international tourism involving Japan, destinations in Asia remain particularly important because of their geographic proximity.
For example, Taiwan’s official statistics show that Japan was the most popular overseas destination for Taiwanese travelers in 2025, with approximately 6.73 million visits.
This illustrates the importance of short-haul international travel in East Asia.
At the same time, Europe remains an important long-haul destination for people interested in history, culture, food, shopping, business and leisure.
Popular European destinations for international travelers include:
- 🇫🇷 France
- 🇮🇹 Italy
- 🇪🇸 Spain
- 🇨🇭 Switzerland
- 🇩🇪 Germany
- 🇳🇱 Netherlands
- 🇬🇷 Greece
- 🇦🇹 Austria
For foreign residents living in Japan, traveling to Europe can be particularly attractive because they can begin their trip directly from Japanese airports rather than returning to their country of nationality first.
Europe and Schengen Travel From Japan
For many foreign residents in Japan, one of the first questions is:
“Can I apply for a Schengen visa from Japan?”
In general, Schengen visa applications should be submitted through the consulate responsible for the applicant’s legal place of residence.
The European Commission explains that, as a general rule, applicants should apply at the consulate with territorial responsibility for the country where they are legally resident.
If a traveler plans to visit several Schengen countries, the application normally goes to the country that is the main destination, meaning the country where the traveler will spend the longest time. If the stay is equally divided between countries, the application is generally made through the country of first entry.
A Schengen short-stay visa normally allows a non-EU national to visit the Schengen area for up to 90 days within a 180-day period, subject to the applicable visa conditions.
How Many People Apply for Schengen Visas?
European visa demand is significant.
According to the European Commission, Schengen-area consulates received more than 12 million short-stay visa applications worldwide in 2025.
More than 10 million visas were issued during the year.
The European Commission also publishes statistics according to the country where applications were lodged, rather than simply by the applicant’s nationality.
This distinction is particularly important for foreign residents of Japan.
Someone living legally in Japan may submit a visa application in Japan even if their passport is from another country, depending on the rules of the relevant consulate.
Why Foreign Residents in Japan Need to Prepare Carefully for a European Visa
Living in Japan does not automatically mean that a foreign resident can travel to Europe without a visa.
Visa requirements depend largely on nationality, destination and the purpose of travel.
For applicants who need a Schengen visa, typical supporting documents can include:
- Valid passport
- Japanese residence card
- Visa application form
- Recent photograph
- Travel itinerary
- Flight reservation or travel plan
- Hotel/accommodation information
- Travel medical insurance
- Proof of financial means
- Employment or study documents
- Evidence of legal residence in Japan
- Documents demonstrating the purpose of the trip
The exact requirements can differ depending on the applicant’s nationality, destination country, personal circumstances and the specific consulate.
The European Commission states that additional documents may also be requested by consulates.
Planning to Travel From Japan to Europe?
If you are a foreign resident living in Japan and are planning a trip to Europe, preparing the application correctly can make the process much easier to understand.
At Sir Visa, we provide practical visa application assistance for people who need help organizing their travel documents and preparing their application.
Our services can include:
- Visa Application Form Assistance
- Visa Requirements Checklist
- Document Checking
- Travel Plan Preparation
- Flight & Hotel Assistance
- Travel Insurance Assistance
- Appointment Booking Assistance
Our goal is simple: to help you understand the requirements, organize your documents and prepare your application clearly.
We do not decide whether a visa will be approved. The final decision belongs to the relevant embassy or consulate.
If you are living in Japan and preparing to travel to Europe, you can learn more about our services at:
Sir Visa – Visa Assistance in Japan
Final Thoughts
Japan’s foreign-resident population has reached an important milestone.
With more than 4.1 million foreign residents and almost 950,000 permanent residents, Japan has become home to a large and increasingly established international population.
For many of these residents, Japan is not simply a place to work or study. It is their home and their starting point for international travel.
As international mobility continues to grow, trips from Japan to Europe can become an important part of life for foreign residents who want to discover destinations such as France, Italy, Spain, Switzerland and other European countries.
If you are a foreign resident in Japan planning a European trip, understanding the correct visa requirements, preparing the right documents and presenting a consistent travel plan are important parts of the application process.
Planning your Europe trip from Japan? Start by checking the requirements and preparing your application carefully.
Sources
- Japan Immigration Services Agency — Foreign Residents in Japan statistics
- Japan National Tourism Organization — Visitor statistics
- Japan Immigration Services Agency — 2025 international entry/departure statistics
- European Commission — Schengen visa statistics
- European Commission — How to apply for a Schengen visa