Section 1 Japanese Society and People Deepening Their Ties with the World

1 Japan's Growth and Acceptance of Foreign Nationals

(1) Rapid recovery in the number of international visitors to Japan and its visa system

In March 2016, the Government of Japan formulated the “Tourism Vision to Support the Future of Japan” that set a goal of 40 million inbound international travelers to Japan in 2020 and 60 million in 2030. In the wake of the significant decrease in the number of inbound international travelers during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Government of Japan formulated the “4th Tourism Nation Promotion Basic Plan,” in March 2023, followed by formulation of the “Action Plan for Expanding Inbound Tourism for the New Era” in May the same year. These Plans set new targets, including of attracting 32 million inbound international travelers or more by 2025. In 2024, the number of international visitors reached around 37 million, which is about 5 million more than the 31.88 million in 2019 - before the pandemic - and representing a new record high.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) has relaxed visa requirements for short-term stays from the perspectives of promoting inbound tourism as well as people-to-people exchange with various countries. Visa exemption arrangements for Panama were introduced on April 1, followed by the relaxation of multiple entry visa requirements for the Philippines on June 10 and Ukraine on June 24. Moreover, MOFA has introduced a new Working Holiday Programme with Luxembourg. As of the end of December 2024, Japan has taken measures on visa exemption arrangements for ordinary passport holders for 71 countries/regions.

When considering the relaxation of visa requirements, it is also significant to tighten the screening process for visa issuance in the interest of preventing the entry of criminals, illegal workers, and potential victims of human trafficking. MOFA will consider visa policies with a comprehensive view of bilateral relations and the significance for diplomacy, with the aim of contributing to the promotion of Japan as a tourism-oriented country in terms of both quality and quantity while maintaining the safety and security of society for which Japan is world-renowned.

(2) Accepting Foreign Human Resources and Their Social Integration

In response to the severe labor shortage in Japan as well as the intensifying international competition for attracting human resources in recent years, MOFA has liaised with related ministries and agencies on initiatives regarding accepting foreign human resources and improving its environment. The “Specified Skilled Worker” system was established in April 2019. MOFA, as one of the related organizations alongside the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, and the National Police Agency, participates in preparing Memorandums of Cooperation (MOC) that set out a framework for information partnerships with the countries of origin of the workers, and in bilateral discussions based on those MOCs. MOFA also undertakes public relations efforts in local languages of the major countries of origin of the workers. In 2024, a law amendment took place to establish the new Employment for Skill Development Program to replace the existing Technical Intern Training Program. As one of the related organizations, MOFA will work in collaboration with related ministries and agencies toward the implementation of the Employment for Skill Development program in 2027.

Furthermore, MOFA has been advancing related initiatives in accordance with the “Roadmap for the Realization of a Society of Harmonious Coexistence with Foreign Nationals” formulated by the “Ministerial Council on Acceptance and Inclusion of Foreign Human Resources,” among others. As one such initiative, MOFA co-hosts the “International Forum on Acceptance of Foreign Nationals and Their Integration into Japan” together with the International Organization for Migration (IOM), aiming to encourage discussion among the people on concrete challenges and measures.