IMMIGRATION IN AN AGING SOCIETY: DEMOGRAPHIC SHIFTS AND THE ROLE OF FOREIGN RESIDENTS IN CONTEMPORARY JAPAN

Authors : Elif Sercen Nurcan

Pages : 64-91

View : 78 | Download : 157

Publication Date : 2025-10-17

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :This paper examines the evolving role of foreign residents in Japan against the backdrop of demographic decline and economic transformation. As the foreign population surpassed 3.7 million in 2024, immigration has shifted from a peripheral concern to a critical pillar of Japan’s policy response to labor shortages and an aging society. The study asks two central questions: What demographic patterns and institutional structures define the current landscape of foreign residency in Japan, and how do these differ from the experiences of other aging societies? To address these questions, the paper employs a qualitative analysis of government statistics, recent legal reforms, and a wide range of scholarly literature. It traces changes in visa categories, demographic patterns, and institutional frameworks over the last two decades, highlighting the growing contributions of foreign workers and international students to the Japanese economy and society. At the same time, it identifies persistent barriers to integration, including limited access to public services, visa overstays, and discriminatory narratives that continue to influence policymaking. Despite new initiatives such as the Specified Skilled Worker visa, J-FIND program, and Highly Skilled Professional schemes, Japan’s immigration regime remains fragmented. The paper argues that foreign residents are no longer marginal actors but central to Japan’s long-term sustainability. Its originality lies in positioning Japan’s demographic crisis within a comparative context while stressing the importance of inclusive citizenship policies for shaping a more equitable future.
Keywords : Göç Politikası, Yabancı İşgücü, Yaşlanan Toplum, Uyum Zorlukları, Japonya Demografisi

ORIGINAL ARTICLE URL