MORE VIETNAMESE THAN BRAZILIANS IN GUNMA
The number of foreign residents in Gunma Prefecture as of the end of December 2023 is 72,315, the highest number ever recorded, according to a prefectural government report. The number of foreigners living in Gunma Prefecture has been highest by country/region, with many Brazilians living in Oizumi Town and other areas, but this number was surpassed for the first time by Vietnamese, whose number is increasing rapidly.
According to the prefectural government, the number of foreigners in the prefecture increased 10.7% (6,989) from the same period last year. The percentage of foreign residents in the prefecture increased by 0.4 percentage points to 3.8%. By country/region, Vietnam surged to 14,012 (up 2103 from the same period last year), surpassing Brazil’s 13,063 (up 396).
As the COVID-19 disaster subsided and travel from abroad normalized, “technical internship” increased by 10,325, up 2010 y-o-y, and “specified technical skill 1,” newly established in 2007 to accept foreigners with considerable knowledge and experience, increased by 2,496 y-o-y to 6,333, each a significant increase. The prefectural government believes that “many Vietnamese are coming to Ota City and other cities with technical internship and specified technical skill No. 1 certifications in search of work opportunities in the manufacturing industry. The fact that Governor Yamamoto has visited Vietnam three times since taking office and has strengthened ties with the country is also believed to be a factor.
On the other hand, Brazilians, who began to be accepted by small and medium-sized companies following the enforcement of the revised Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act in 1990, ranked second, having held the top spot from that year until 2022. The Philippines followed with 8,897, China and Taiwan with 6,894, and Peru with 4,760.
By municipality, Isesaki City had the largest number with 15,183 (up 1,138 from the previous year). Ota City followed with 13,533 (up 1,442), and Maebashi City with 8,652 (up 1,040). Oizumi Town had the highest percentage of foreign residents, at 20.0%.
YOMIURI SHINBUN
February 28, 2024
https://www.yomiuri.co.jp/national/20240226-OYT1T50198/
