Survey on Foreign Managers in Japan: A Look at the Numbers

Hi, my name is Taisei Koshida, and I am a certified public accountant and tax accountant.

I aim to assist non-Japanese business owners who need help with reading or writing in Japanese. If you find the Japanese tax return system challenging, I can help you with your tax filings.

This blog may help if you are unclear about the number of foreign managers in Japan.

Regarding the increasing number of foreign managers in Japan, I will provide an overview based on the 2021 survey by the Japan Finance Corporation.

The Number of Foreign Managers in Japan

From 2000 to 2012, their numbers ranged between approximately 600 to 800 annually. This began to rise starting 2013, reaching about 2,200 by 2019. Though the number declined due to the pandemic, approximately 27,000 foreign managers were operating businesses in Japan by the end of 2020.

Distribution by Country of Origin

Looking at the distribution by country of origin, China accounts for nearly half, followed by Korea at about 10%, and both Nepal and Pakistan at around 5% each.

Distribution by Prefecture in Japan

Based on the addresses of the managers, Tokyo Prefecture comprises 40%, while Osaka, Saitama, Chiba, and Kanagawa Prefectures each account for roughly 10%.

Our accounting firm has been actively assisting foreign business owners in Japan with accounting and tax matters. Please feel free to contact us through the inquiry form.