Photo/Illutration The Justice Ministry building that houses the Immigration Services Agency in Tokyo’s Kasumigaseki district (Asahi Shimbun file photo)

A record 36.78 million foreign nationals entered Japan in 2024, an increase of 42.4 percent over the previous year, according to preliminary figures.

The Immigration Services Agency said Jan. 24 that arrivals were up by approximately 10.95 million, the largest number ever recorded, surpassing the 3.119 million in 2019.

Of the new arrivals, excluding re-entrants, 98.1 percent, or approximately 33.36 million, had “Temporary Visitor” status, up 44.2 percent from the previous year.

The agency cited the weak yen and factors as possible reasons for the uptick.

By nationality or region, South Korea accounted for the largest number of new arrivals at 8.63 million, up 26.7 percent from the previous year, followed by 5.69 million from Taiwan, up 39.8 percent, and 5.49 million from China, up 174.6 percent.

By status of residence, “College Student” was next with approximately 170,000, up 19.7 percent from the previous year.

“Technical Intern Training” followed with approximately 150,000, but the figure was down 19.2 percent from the previous year.

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