Japan records surge in foreign visitors, residents and students in 2025

Japan is experiencing a marked increase in inbound activity. The Japan National Tourism Organization projects 42.68 million foreign visitors in 2025, a 15.8 % rise over the previous year. Data from the Immigration Services Agency show that the foreign resident population reached a record 4.12 million at the end of 2025, surpassing the 4‑million threshold for the first time since the statistics began. The Japan Student Services Organization reports approximately 400,000 foreign students as of May 2025, up 21 % year‑on‑year.

These figures reflect a broader shift in Japan’s appeal to overseas workers and travelers. Interviews with expatriates describe Japan as a “safe, clean, affordable” destination where job security and social benefits are perceived as more favorable than in their home countries. The growing numbers of foreign workers, tourists and students are cited as evidence that Japan’s international attractiveness is changing fundamentally, extending beyond a short‑term tourism boom.