Over 60% of Japanese firms with foreign workers would struggle without overseas hiring: survey

JAPAN

Over 60% of Japanese firms with foreign workers would struggle without overseas hiring: survey

More than 60% of companies already employing foreign nationals expected that experiencing difficulties in hiring additional workers would disrupt their business operations, according to survey results released Tuesday. | JOHAN BROOKS

By Jessica Speed
STAFF WRITER

Sep 16, 2026

Nearly two-thirds of Japanese companies employing overseas workers say their operations would be disrupted if they became unable to recruit more, according to survey results released Tuesday.

The survey was conducted by the Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Tokyo Chamber of Commerce and Industry from July 21 to Aug. 21 among chamber-member companies across all 47 prefectures.

Of the respondents, 60.0% said they were short-staffed, with the highest rates found in construction (at 77.4%), transportation (72.2%) and nursing and healthcare (70.5%).