ISTANBUL

The number of foreign nationals living in Japan surpassed 3.7 million as of the end of 2024, marking a 10.5% increase from the previous year and setting a new record for the third consecutive year, government data showed Friday.

Out of more than 3.76 million foreign nationals living in Japan, permanent residents represented the largest group by residential status, totaling approximately 918,000 individuals, up 3%, the Kyodo news agency reported, citing the Immigration Services Agency.

Foreigners in Japan participating in the country's technical internship program, designed to transfer skills to developing nations, increased by 12.9%, reaching around 456,000.

In terms of nationality, the Chinese made up the largest group, with about 873,000, followed by Vietnamese at around 634,000 and South Koreans at approximately 409,000.

The number of individuals applying for refugee status decreased by 10.5%, totaling around 12,000. Some 102 from Afghanistan, 36 from Myanmar, and 18 from Yemen, among others, were granted asylum.

A total of 1,618 Ukrainians were granted acceptance under the complementary protection system, which was established in December 2023 in response to Russia's war on Ukraine.