Japan's foreign population could top 10 % in 2040: Justice Minister
The proportion of foreign residents in Japan could surpass 10 % of the population as early as 2040, Justice Minister Keisuke Suzuki said Wednesday.
The 10 % share nearly matches that in many European and North American countries.
An expert group hosted by Suzuki is set to release an estimate of the future foreign population in Japan soon.
A 2023 estimate from the National Institute of Population and Social Security Research projected that Japan's foreign population would exceed 10 % in the 2070s.
Speaking at a press conference at the Japan National Press Club in Tokyo, Suzuki said that the number of foreign residents would top 10 million and exceed 10 % in 2045 if the number of foreigners continues to increase by over 350,000 per year, the pace recorded last year. Taking into account Japan's population decline, the 10 % mark could be reached in 2040, he added.
Suzuki said that Japan "needs to start preparing now," indicating that the government will be quick to consider policies based on the expert group's findings.
[Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]
