ISLAMABAD

The number of foreign workers in Japan has reached a record high, surpassing 2.3 million, local media reported Friday.

Data from the Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry showed that as of last October, Japan had 2.3 million foreign workers, up 12.4%, according to Kyodo News.

By nationality, Vietnamese are the largest group with 570,708 workers, followed by Chinese at 408,805 and Filipinos at 245,565.

A Labor Ministry official said Japan remains a popular destination for foreign workers despite the yen’s depreciation.

"Many people, particularly those from Southeast Asia, still choose Japan," the agency quoted the official as saying.