Japan's Highly Skilled Foreign Worker Inflow Slows Amid AI Job Displacement and Stricter Scrutiny

Japan's inflow of highly skilled foreign professionals has slowed since autumn 2025, reversing a post-pandemic upward trend. The slowdown is attributed to AI reducing demand for IT and translation roles, alongside tighter government scrutiny of the 'highly skilled professional' visa status. This marks a shift in Japan's labor and immigration trajectory, with implications for its tech sector and demographic challenges.