Japan is currently one of the top destinations attracting international workers and students, thanks to its developed economy, professional work environment, and high-quality educational opportunities. Among the foreign communities in Japan, the Vietnamese population is accounting for an increasingly high proportion. This article provides an overview of the number of Vietnamese people in Japan categorized by visa type and compares them with other nations such as China, Indonesia, and others.

Number of Vietnamese People in Japan by Visa Type

According to recent statistics, the Vietnamese community in Japan is growing robustly, particularly in the labor and education sectors. Vietnamese nationals in Japan primarily hold student visas, work visas, and specified skilled worker visas. Below is an analysis of the Vietnamese population in Japan by each visa category:

1. Student Visa

   Vietnamese nationals are one of the largest groups of international students in Japan. Every year, Japan welcomes thousands of international students, including many from Vietnam. Statistics show that in 2023, the number of Vietnamese students in Japan reached approximately 40,000, accounting for a significant portion of the total international student population. Japanese student visas attract students not only in technical and medical fields but also in arts, management, and linguistics.

2. Work Visa

   Work visas allow Vietnamese people to work in Japan across various industries, from factory workers to engineers and specialists. The number of Vietnamese workers going to Japan has increased sharply over the years, especially in construction, food processing, and services. As of the end of 2023, there were approximately 300,000 Vietnamese laborers working in Japan, making this the largest group within the Vietnamese community there.

3. Specified Skilled Worker Visa

   The Specified Skilled Worker visa is a new category implemented by Japan in 2019 to attract foreign labor to sectors facing manpower shortages, such as construction, agriculture, services, and food processing. Vietnamese nationals represent a large percentage of this labor group. By 2023, about 60,000 Vietnamese people had been granted this visa, contributing significantly to sectors with labor deficits in Japan.

Comparison of Vietnamese Population in Japan with Other Countries

Besides Vietnam, Japan also receives a large volume of workers and students from other countries, with China, Indonesia, and other Southeast Asian nations having sizable communities.

1. China

   China is the country with the largest number of foreign nationals in Japan. Statistics for 2023 estimate the number of Chinese people in Japan to be over 800,000. Among them, Chinese students form an important segment, with about 100,000 individuals. Chinese nationals also hold a high proportion in the labor sector, particularly in service and industrial industries.

2. Indonesia

   Indonesia also has a large labor community in Japan, especially in construction and food processing. The number of Indonesians in Japan as of 2023 was approximately 90,000, most of whom are laborers on specified skilled worker or general work visas.

3. Philippines

   The Philippines is a nation with a large number of workers in Japan, particularly in healthcare and elderly care. By 2023, the number of Filipinos in Japan reached approximately 250,000, many of whom work in nursing, medicine, and domestic work.

Comparison of Vietnamese Population Proportions Against Other Countries

Compared to other nations, the Vietnamese community in Japan is experiencing strong development. However, the total number remains significantly lower than the Chinese community. Despite this, the growth rate of Vietnamese nationals in Japan has been remarkable over the past years, especially in labor and education.

As of 2023, there were about 400,000 Vietnamese people in Japan, accounting for roughly 4-5% of the total foreign population. Meanwhile, China has about 800,000 people, accounting for roughly 8%. While Indonesia and the Philippines also have large communities, their proportions remain lower than that of the Vietnamese community.

Conclusion

The Vietnamese community in Japan is growing stronger, particularly in labor and education sectors. This growth stems not only from labor demand but also from the attraction of educational opportunities in Japan. Although the numbers are currently lower than those of China, Indonesia, or the Philippines, the Vietnamese population in Japan shows a strong upward trend. This reflects changes in Japan's immigration policies and improved career opportunities for international workers. Working or studying in Japan offers not only career development but also provides Vietnamese people with valuable experiences in a uniquely developed culture like Japan.