Kaoru Miyatake
Author Kaoru Miyatake Gyoseishoshi / Juris Doctor (J.D.) | MOJ-Certified Application Agent Chairperson, Sakura Training Organization (Public Interest Corporation) / Sakura Central Legal Office

The Immigration Services Agency (ISA) announced on October 16, 2026 the number of overstayers in Japan as of July 1, 2026. There were 65,229 overstayers, down 3,259 (4.8%) from 68,488 as of January 1, 2026. Men numbered 39,139 (60.0%) and women 26,090 (40.0%). In 2026, the figures were compiled for two dates, January 1 and July 1.

By Nationality/Region: Thailand Is Largest; Vietnam Down 12.6%

📌 ISA figures (as of July 1, 2026; in parentheses, share of total and change from January 1, 2026)
  • Thailand 10,260 (15.7%, down 5.9%), Vietnam 10,135 (15.5%, down 12.6%), South Korea 9,759 (15.0%, down 2.6%)
  • China 5,312 (8.1%, down 8.8%), the Philippines 4,173 (6.4%, down 5.0%), Indonesia 4,077 (6.3%, down 4.0%), Taiwan 2,424 (3.7%, down 6.8%)
  • Sri Lanka 2,378 (3.6%, up 13.7%), Türkiye 1,212 (1.9%, down 1.3%), Cambodia 938 (1.4%, down 10.2%)

As of January 1, 2026, Vietnam had 11,601 and Thailand 10,907; by July 1, Thailand had overtaken Vietnam. Among the top ten countries/regions, only Sri Lanka increased.

By Status of Residence: Temporary Visitor Is 60%, Technical Intern Training Down 15.0%

The status is the one held when the person became an overstayer. The largest is “Temporary Visitor” with 39,180 (60.1%, down 5.8%), followed by “Technical Intern Training” with 7,928 (12.2%, down 15.0%, a drop of 1,395), “Designated Activities” with 7,661 (11.7%, up 4.9%), “Student” with 2,435 (3.7%, up 12.1%) and “Spouse or Child of Japanese National” with 1,695 (2.6%, down 1.7%). “Designated Activities” and “Student” increased from January 1, 2026.

6,020 New Overstayers

  • “New” overstayers, who were identified after January 1, 2026 and were still in Japan on July 1, numbered 6,020 (9.2% of the July 1 total). The July 1 total is the sum of 59,209 continuing from January 1 and these 6,020 new cases. Of the 68,488 on January 1, 9,279 had left the count by July 1 (deported, left under departure orders, granted special permission to stay, etc.)
  • New cases by nationality/region: Vietnam 1,402 (13.8% of that country’s overstayers), Thailand 1,049 (10.2%), Indonesia 611 (15.0%), Sri Lanka 600 (25.2%), China 343
  • New cases by status: Temporary Visitor 1,862 (4.8% of overstayers with that status), Designated Activities 1,707 (22.3%), Technical Intern Training 746 (9.4%), Student 646 (26.5%)

Practical Points (including the scrivener’s view)

  • These figures count people who remain after their period of stay has expired (overstayers); they do not indicate any action against individual companies or foreign nationals. The previous figure (68,488 as of January 1, 2026) is covered in our article on the “Zero Illegal Stay Plan” explanation
  • Among new cases, Designated Activities and Student each account for over one fifth of overstayers with that status. Host organizations should check the status of residence, period of stay and work eligibility on the residence card, and manage deadlines, not only at hiring but also at each renewal
  • For extension and change procedures, and what to do when a deadline is near, see our residence status guide. The foreign resident count at the end of June 2026 is in this article

Sources