Technical Intern Disappearances Fell 39.3% in 2025 to 3,950 — Myanmar Nationals Down 68.5% After Emergency Measure Revision

According to materials compiled by Japan's Immigration Services Agency (dated July 2026), technical intern trainee disappearances in 2025 totaled 3,950, down 2,560 from 6,510 the prior year — a 39.3% decrease. The disappearance rate relative to the total technical intern population also fell to 0.6%, down 0.6 percentage points from the prior year.

Trend in Disappearance Numbers

By Nationality

All top 5 source countries by disappearance count declined from 2024. Vietnam remained highest at 2,593 (down 32.9%), accounting for 65.6% of the total, while Myanmar fell sharply to 398 (down 68.5%). Indonesia followed at 444 (down 14.6%), Cambodia at 195 (down 29.1%), and China at 137 (down 59.1%).

The Sharp Drop Among Myanmar Nationals

While the number of Myanmar technical interns in Japan rose 13.3% year on year to 45,749 in 2025, disappearances among them fell 68.5% to 398 — a striking contrast. This follows a revision to the "Myanmar emergency evacuation measure" implemented on October 1, 2024. Previously, a status change to "Designated Activities" was permitted even for interns who had not completed their training; under the revised operation, such changes are in principle no longer permitted, except where the intern was not at fault for discontinuing training, in which case the reasons are examined before a decision is made. Monthly disappearance figures for Myanmar nationals fell sharply after the revision took effect.

By Occupation and Prefecture

• By occupation, "construction" led with 2,167 (54.9%), but this was down 34.3% from the prior year; other occupations also fell by roughly 30-60%
• By prefecture, Tokyo led with 328 (also the highest rate relative to resident population, at 1.9%), followed by Aichi (318) and Saitama (275)

Whereabouts Confirmation

Of the 36,386 cumulative technical intern disappearances from 2021 through 2025, whereabouts had been confirmed for 29,777 (81.8%) as of May 31, 2026, through departure procedures, deportation procedures, and other measures. For 2025 alone, the confirmation rate stood at 59.4% (lower due to the shorter elapsed time), with 1,605 still unaccounted for.

Summary

• Technical intern disappearances totaled 3,950 in 2025, down 39.3% year on year
• All top 5 source countries declined; Myanmar fell most sharply at 68.5%
• The Myanmar decline follows an October 2024 revision to emergency evacuation measure operations
• Construction remained the top occupation despite a 34.3% decline; Tokyo led by prefecture

Preventing disappearances requires proper labor management by host companies and supervising organizations, along with maintaining communication with trainees. Those with concerns about technical intern acceptance or supervision are encouraged to consult a Gyoseishoshi. Consult Sakura Central Legal Office (MOJ-certified application agent).