MHLW data for the end of October 2025 show 2,571,037 foreign workers in Japan. Vietnamese nationals were the largest group at 605,906 (23.6%). This scale means the Japan–Vietnam labour market must now manage quality and retention, not only recruitment volume.
Scale and receiving experience
Many Japanese employers already have Vietnamese staff, so support networks, communities and management know-how are more developed. A structured receiving system can reduce barriers for employers.
Recruitment competition is also increasing
Candidates can compare wages, housing, hours, location, mobility and Specified Skilled Worker pathways. Employers with unclear conditions will struggle both to recruit and retain people.
From “labour source” to “human resources”
Ikusei Shuro emphasizes development and securing personnel. Employers should track Japanese ability, skills, retention and career development, not merely the number of arrivals.
Official sources
• MHLW — Employment situation of foreign workers, October 2025: https://www.mhlw.go.jp/stf/newpage_68794.html
• MHLW — Foreign worker employment-management guidelines: https://www.mhlw.go.jp/stf/seisakunitsuite/bunya/koyou_roudou/koyou/jigyounushi/page11.html
• Immigration Services Agency — Ikusei Shuro: https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/05_00045.html
• Immigration Services Agency — Ikusei Shuro Q&A: https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/applications/faq/ikusei_qa_00002.html
General information only. Check the latest requirements for recruitment and reception.