The number of foreign residents in Japan under the Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) visa status hit a record 336,196 as of the end of June, according to a report released Tuesday by the Immigration Services Agency.
That figure marks an 18.2% increase from the 284,466 recorded at the end of December 2024. Citizens of Vietnam accounted for the largest share at 44.2%, followed by Indonesia at 20.7%, Myanmar at 10.6%, the Philippines at 9.7% and China at 6.0%.
SSW visa holders are workers brought into Japan to fill severe labor shortages in certain sectors. Introduced in 2019, the visa has two tiers. The first tier is Type 1, which allows the visa holder to work in Japan for up to five years. The second tier, Type 2, is for those with more advanced skills and can be renewed indefinitely. Those with Type 2 status are also allowed to bring their families as dependents.
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