Japan’s Foreign Workers to Exceed 1 Trillion Yen in Remittances with 38% H1 Rise Amid Labor Shortage and Policy Reform Calls

Foreign nationals working in Japan are expected to remit a record amount of money overseas in 2025, potentially exceeding 1 trillion yen ($6.8 billion) for the first time. This surge in overseas wire transfers is driven by the expansion of Japan's foreign worker population, with remittances increasing by 38% in the first half of the year compared to the previous period. The Japanese government has maintained a policy of not adopting formal immigration measures, despite actively accepting foreign workers to address severe labor shortages. Experts emphasize the urgency of overcoming the "immigration dilemma" by improving labor and educational environments for foreign workers and their families, and call for national discussions on establishing a fundamental law for foreign worker acceptance. The issue has also become a point of contention in recent political debates, including the Upper House elections.