Chinese, Brazilian and South Korean Nationals Lead as Largest Foreign Populations Across Japanese Prefectures

Japan’s demographic landscape continues to shift, with foreign national communities becoming a more visible part of life across the country.

According to a visual map analysis, the largest foreign national group varies significantly by prefecture, with Chinese, Brazilian and South Korean residents emerging as the most prominent communities depending on region.

Chinese nationals are the largest foreign national group in the majority of Japanese prefectures, especially across the northern, eastern and central regions of the country.

This aligns with official statistics from Japan’s Ministry of Justice, which show that as of mid-2025, Chinese residents represented the largest share of registered foreign nationals nationwide, numbering well over 800,000. Chinese communities have long been concentrated in urban centres such as Tokyo, Osaka and Aichi, but the map shows their influence spreading more broadly.

In several prefectures, notably parts of Aichi, Mie, Shizuoka and Gunma, Brazilian nationals stand out as the largest foreign group.

Brazilian migration to Japan has roots in the late 1980s and 1990s, when Japan’s immigration policies enabled descendants of Japanese emigrants (known as Nikkei) to return for work.

This has resulted in tight-knit Brazilian communities, particularly in manufacturing regions where labour demand historically drew migrant workers. According to Japan’s Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, Brazilians remain one of the top foreign national populations in the country.

South Korean nationals are the largest foreign group in a cluster of prefectures around the Kansai region, including Osaka and nearby areas.

The Korean community in Japan has deep historical roots, tracing back to the early 20th century. It remains one of the most established foreign groups in the country. South Koreans consistently rank among the top three foreign resident populations in national figures, and in select prefectures, they represent the single largest community.