YOKOHAMA - As Japan faces an ongoing decline in its birthrate and aging population, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications has released data showing the country’s total population.
The number of Japanese citizens has seen its largest decrease to date, while the foreign population in Japan continues to rise.
One area that has long been at the forefront of "coexistence" with foreign residents is Yokohama’s Tsurumi Ward.
According to the Ministry's report, Japan's total population stood at 124,336,690 as of January 1, 2025. Of this, 120,653,227 are Japanese citizens.
Meanwhile, the number of foreign residents in Japan has reached a record high of 3,677,463, the largest since the survey began in 2013. Foreigners now account for approximately 3% of Japan's total population.
When asked about the increase in foreign residents, people in the community commented, "I see a lot of foreigners working at convenience stores and restaurants. Personally, I think the number has increased," and "Even at my part-time job, customers living in Japan and speaking Japanese try to communicate. It's nice to have the opportunity to interact with people from other cultures without needing to travel abroad."
In July, Justice Minister Suzuki stated that the proportion of foreigners in Japan could exceed 10% by 2040.
With this in mind, Tsurumi Ward in Yokohama has garnered attention for its efforts in promoting coexistence.
As of August 1, Tsurumi’s population is approximately 300,000, with 17,755 foreigners, making up about 6% of the total population—double the national average.
Walking through the shopping streets, one can find numerous South American restaurants offering cuisine from Brazil, Bolivia, and Peru. There are also many Asian restaurants, including those from China and India.
Why is there such a large foreign population in Tsurumi? We spoke with Nobutaro Tsuchiya, an executive in the local shopping street association, to find out.
Tsuchiya explained, "Many people from Okinawa emigrated to South America, and when they sought work in Japan, they settled in Tsurumi. To support them, many stores specializing in Brazilian and South American products—such as restaurants and supermarkets—have opened here."
Tsuchiya also noted the benefits for the shopping district, stating, "Foreign-owned businesses are a tourist attraction. This brings customers from all over and gives the area more exposure. It’s great that we can offer ingredients and dishes that are hard to find elsewhere in Japan."
When asked how locals feel about the presence of so many foreign residents, opinions were mixed. Some said, "It’s lively with many different stores, which is nice," while others pointed out issues such as, "There are people who can't speak Japanese, so it can be difficult to communicate, and sometimes there are groups drinking late at night on the streets."
Foreign residents in Tsurumi, however, are making an effort to integrate. A Bolivian resident shared, "When you come from a different culture, you have to follow the rules here—like with trash and work rules. If you don’t follow the rules in Japan, you’re seen negatively. Meeting deadlines and doing things on time is important for gaining trust. I try my best, even though I'm not good at polite language."
Tsurumi has also been advancing its "multicultural coexistence" initiatives, with local government support through facilities where foreign residents can seek advice.
Hiroko Kobayashi, director of the Tsurumi International Exchange Lounge, explained, "The most important support we provide is in daily life. We serve as a hub, connecting people with appropriate services."
As Japan’s foreign population continues to rise, Tsurumi Ward’s efforts at fostering coexistence may serve as a valuable model for the future.
Source: FNN
