Japan to Accept Up to 1.23 Million Foreign Workers Through FY2028

Japan's Cabinet has approved new acceptance caps for foreign workers, allowing up to 1,231,900 people under the Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) and the new Employment for Skill Development (ESD) programs through the end of fiscal year 2028 (March 2029).

Key Figures

• 805,700 — SSW (i) workers across 19 fields
• 426,200 — ESD workers across 17 fields
• Decision date: January 23, 2026

Three New Fields Added

• Linen supply
• Logistics warehousing
• Resource recycling

According to the Immigration Services Agency (ISA), acceptance in these new fields will begin once the related ministerial ordinances are in place. Official announcements will be made on the ISA website.

What Changes in 2027

The ESD program will replace the Technical Intern Training Program from April 2027. Unlike the old system, workers will be able to change employers within the same field after a set period, and are expected to move up to SSW status.

Important to Know

The 1.23 million figure is a maximum cap, not an additional number on top of current foreign residents.

Some fields can fill up early. In the food service field, Japan temporarily stopped issuing new Certificates of Eligibility (COE) for SSW (i) from April 13, 2026, as worker numbers neared the limit.

For Sri Lankan candidates, choosing the right field now matters more than ever. Check the latest ISA updates before making plans, and keep building your Japanese skills — SSW generally requires JLPT N4 or JFT-Basic A2.