Social SciencesDemographyEconomicsLabor EconomicsMigration PolicyPopulation StudiesInternational MigrationJapanese StudiesMigration AnalysisMigration HistoryPopulation ChangePopulation GrowthEconomic Effects Of MigrationImmigration DemographicsInternational Labor MigrationInternational Migration Of LaborJapanese SocietyLabor Market Skills ShortageMigration Statistics
A review of international migration trends affecting Japan is presented, focusing on the period since World War II. The author notes that there is currently a national labor shortage, particularly of unskilled labor. This creates an economic demand for immigration, although the Japanese generally believe their country is too densely populated, and are opposed to increased immigration. An attempt is made to forecast future trends in the foreign population of the country. Comments are included by Shigemochi Hirashima (pp. 49-50) and Young-bum Park (pp. 51-2).