Reviewed by: Yuki Ando, Certified Immigration Legal Specialist (Gyoseishoshi)
This article is a translation of the original Japanese version.
Workers from diverse nationalities, particularly from Asian countries, are actively contributing to nursing care facilities across Japan, with the number of residents showing a year-over-year upward trend.
This article provides a detailed analysis of trends in the number of foreign residents by nationality under the Specified Skills “Nursing Care” category, based on the latest data from the Immigration Services Agency of Japan. By examining which countries contribute the most workers and understanding the factors behind these increases and decreases, we aim to provide valuable insights for future recruitment planning and the development of support systems.
Table of Contents
Trends in Total Number of Specified Skills “Nursing Care” Residents
Since the program’s launch in 2019, the number of foreign workers employed under Specified Skills “Nursing Care” has continued to increase year over year.
As of the end of 2024, the number of Specified Skills “Nursing Care” residents reached 44,367 people.
The Japanese government anticipates that labor shortages in the nursing care sector will become even more severe in the future, with plans to accept approximately 135,000 workers by 2029.
Based on these projections, the number of Specified Skills “Nursing Care” residents is expected to maintain its upward trend over the coming years.
Below, we present tables and graphs showing the trends in the number of foreign residents under Specified Skills “Nursing Care.”
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| Year | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
| Number | 19 | 939 | 5,155 | 16,081 | 28,400 | 44,367 |
Trends in the Number of Specified Skills “Nursing Care” Workers by Nationality
While Vietnamese nationals held the top position until 2023, workers from Indonesia and Myanmar now occupy the leading positions.
Let’s take a detailed look at the trends in the number of residents by nationality under Specified Skills “Nursing Care.”
Vietnam
The number of Vietnamese residents under Specified Skills “Nursing Care” has increased continuously since the program’s launch in 2019.Until 2023, Vietnamese workers represented the largest group among all nationalities, but recent growth in new workers has slowed, placing Vietnam in third place as of 2024, behind Indonesia and Myanmar.
A key characteristic of Vietnamese workers is that many transition from the Technical Intern Training Program to the Specified Skills program.
Below, we present tables and graphs showing the trends in the number of Vietnamese nationals working under Specified Skills “Nursing Care.”
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| Year | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
| Number | 2 | 368 | 2,730 | 5,958 | 7,937 | 8,910 |
Indonesia
Indonesia, with a population of approximately 280 million people, has become the country with the largest number of Specified Skills workers in the nursing care sector.In 2024, Indonesia surpassed Vietnam, which had previously held the top position, and the number of new workers continues to grow steadily.
Below, we present tables and graphs showing the trends in the number of Indonesian nationals working under Specified Skills “Nursing Care.”
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| Year | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
| Number | 3 | 217 | 574 | 3,286 | 7,411 | 12,242 |
Philippines
The Philippines, globally recognized as a major source country for nursing care workers, also supplies many nursing care professionals to Japan.As of 2024, the number of workers under Specified Skills “Nursing Care” reached 4,538 people, and they tend to receive high evaluations from employing organizations.
A key characteristic of the Philippines is that the government maintains strict rules for worker deployment, resulting in relatively fewer risks such as debt problems and disappearances that are observed in other countries.
However, the acceptance process can be complex, and particularly when accepting Filipino workers for the first time, employing organizations must pass the strict screening process of the Philippine government.
Below, we present tables and graphs showing the trends in the number of Filipino nationals working under Specified Skills “Nursing Care.”
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| Year | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
| Number | 14 | 116 | 535 | 2,049 | 3,497 | 4,538 |
Myanmar
The number of Myanmar nationals in the nursing care sector under the Specified Skills program reached 11,717 people as of 2024.This represents approximately one-quarter of all residents under Specified Skills “Nursing Care,” making Myanmar the second-largest nationality after Indonesia.
While Myanmar nationals ranked fifth until 2022, they have experienced rapid growth in recent years, establishing Myanmar as one of the notable source countries.
Below, we present tables and graphs showing the trends in the number of Myanmar nationals working under Specified Skills “Nursing Care.”
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| Year | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
| Number | 0 | 67 | 410 | 1,927 | 4,730 | 11,717 |
China
As of 2024, Chinese nationals residing in Japan number 844,187 people, representing the largest population among all nationalities.However, only 1,103 Chinese nationals are working under Specified Skills “Nursing Care.”
Under the Specified Skills system, Japan typically establishes bilateral agreements with partner countries and then sets rules for acceptance. As of 2024, no such agreement has been concluded with China.
Therefore, most Chinese nationals working under the Specified Skills program are likely not new entrants to Japan, but rather individuals who transitioned from the Technical Intern Training Program or changed their residence status from student visas.
Below, we present tables and graphs showing the trends in the number of Chinese nationals working under Specified Skills “Nursing Care.”
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| Year | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
| Number | 0 | 92 | 293 | 682 | 1,032 | 1,103 |
Cambodia
As of 2024, 320 Cambodian nationals are working in the nursing care sector under the Specified Skills program.While the current numbers are not large, the source countries for Specified Skills workers are gradually diversifying, and workers from emerging countries are showing an increasing trend, making Cambodia one of the countries expected to see future growth.
Below, we present tables and graphs showing the trends in the number of Cambodian nationals working under Specified Skills “Nursing Care.”
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| Year | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
| Number | 0 | 12 | 19 | 182 | 290 | 320 |
Thailand
As of 2024, 334 Thai nationals are working in the nursing care sector under the Specified Skills program, which is currently not a large number.While the total number of Thai Specified Skills residents in the same year was 5,563 people, approximately 80% are concentrated in three sectors: “Industrial Machinery Manufacturing,” “Agriculture,” and “Food and Beverage Manufacturing,” with limited participation in the nursing care sector.
Below, we present tables and graphs showing the trends in the number of Thai nationals working under Specified Skills “Nursing Care.”
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| Year | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
| Number | 0 | 4 | 22 | 99 | 237 | 334 |
Nepal
As of 2024, the number of Nepalese nationals working under Specified Skills “Nursing Care” is 3,602 people, representing the fifth-largest group overall.While some countries such as Vietnam and the Philippines have experienced slower growth in new workers, Nepalese workers continue to show an increasing trend.
A key characteristic of Nepal is the large number of international students residing in Japan.
Moving forward, it is expected that more of these students will transition to the Specified Skills program and contribute to the nursing care sector.
Below, we present tables and graphs showing the trends in the number of Nepalese nationals working under Specified Skills “Nursing Care.”
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| Year | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
| Number | 0 | 28 | 400 | 1381 | 2282 | 3602 |
Other Nationalities
In the nursing care sector, the total number of foreign residents under the Specified Skills program from countries other than those mentioned above was 1,601 people as of 2024.While the Specified Skills system limits overseas testing to certain countries, individuals of any nationality can obtain residence status by taking and passing the examination within Japan.
Below, we present tables and graphs showing the trends in the number of workers from other nationalities working under Specified Skills “Nursing Care.”
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| Year | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
| Number | 0 | 35 | 172 | 517 | 984 | 1601 |
Summary
In the nursing care sector, the high level of Japanese language proficiency required for nursing care duties serves as a barrier, and despite severe labor shortages, many employers remain cautious about accepting foreign workers.However, in recent years, the number of workers with strong Japanese language skills has increased, and the number of Specified Skills foreign workers passing the national certification examination for certified care workers is growing annually.
Moving forward, the important challenge will be not simply accepting Specified Skills workers, but how to develop and support their professional growth.
Obtaining certification as a care worker while on a Specified Skills visa significantly expands the possibility of permanent residency. This creates significant benefits for both parties: for employers, it leads to long-term retention of workers, and for the foreign workers themselves, it enables them to build stable lives as permanent residents.
This article is a translation of the original Japanese version.
