TOKYO – The number of Filipino workers in Japan has grown, even as the yen’s depreciation raises concerns about the country’s appeal as a foreign work destination amid ongoing labor shortages.
Recent data from the labor ministry shows that as of October 2024, 245,565 Filipino nationals were employed in Japan, making them the third-largest foreign workforce. Vietnamese workers ranked first at 570,708, followed by Chinese nationals at 408,805.
Filipinos now make up 10.7% of Japan’s total foreign workforce, which hit a record 2,302,587.
By industry, manufacturing employed the largest number of Filipino workers at 79,420 (32.3%). The service sector accounted for 49,011 (20%), while 21,562 (8.8%) worked in medical care and welfare. - Florenda Corpuz
(Photo: Pedestrians cross at Shibuya Crossing in Tokyo on May 5, 2024. | Din Eugenio)