Indians in Japan

Indians in Japan consist of those with Japanese citizenship and those with foreign citizenship.

As of early 2026, there are approximately 55,000 Indian nationals residing in Japan. Within Japan's total foreign population of nearly 4 million, India ranks as the 12th largest immigrant group overall, trailing significantly behind Nepal (approx. 273,000) but remaining larger than the populations of Pakistan and Bangladesh.

The demographic is uniquely defined by its high concentration of highly skilled professionals in the IT and engineering sectors; a bilateral 2025 action plan aims to further expand this footprint by targeting the recruitment of 50,000 additional skilled Indian workers by 2030.

Since unification, Japan’s perception of India has evolved from a mythical "Heavenly Abode" (Tenjiku) during the Edo period to a modern strategic anchor, resulting in a foreign policy that prioritizes India as a vital democratic partner for regional stability in the Indo-Pacific. As of 2026 the Japanese government views India as an indispensable strategic partner and its most promising economic destination, focusing on a "Free and Open Indo-Pacific" while actively recruiting high-skilled Indian talent to address domestic labor shortages.

Public opinion in Japan toward India is characterized by a high degree of strategic trust and growing cultural affinity. According to a Pew Research Center survey conducted in 2025, a majority of Japanese respondents hold a favorable view of India, with favorability particularly high among younger adults (under 35) and men, who show double-digit leads in positive sentiment over older demographics and women, respectively.