An Old Urban Phenomenon Is Now Spreading Throughout Japan: Neighborhoods With More Chinese Than Japanese Residents

Japan is experiencing a tourist boom unlike any seen in recent memory. This boom was partly boosted by the Lunar New Year, which increased the number of travelers. Among the many visitors, one group notably stands out: Chinese citizens. Interestingly, this group is distinguished not only by their numbers arriving in Japan but also by those who intend to stay, perhaps permanently.

Living in Japan without speaking Japanese. Nikkei recently reported that Japan is experiencing a significant cultural and demographic transformation characterized by the rise of neighborhoods with a substantial Chinese presence. In these areas, migrants often comprise the majority, allowing them to live, work, and socialize with little need to speak Japanese. One key center of this phenomenon is located northwest of the Ikebukuro district in Tokyo. A new “Chinatown” has emerged, featuring supermarkets, restaurants, tech stores, pharmacies, and several services specifically tailored to the Chinese community.

Residents report that they can manage their daily lives with the help of fellow Chinese compatriots, encountering little to no language or bureaucratic barriers. This environment, often referred to as the “Chinese economic zone” within Japan, enables migrants to maintain cultural and social connections while remaining rooted in their origins.

Beyond central Tokyo. Communities such as Kawaguchi in Saitama Prefecture, north of Tokyo, illustrate how this phenomenon has expanded into the suburbs. For instance, in the Kawaguchi Shibazono Danchi housing complex, half of the 2,454 units are occupied by Chinese families. The surrounding area has transformed to meet the needs of this population. It features nursery schools, stores, restaurants, and pharmacies run by Chinese owners, and all signs are in their native language.

Residents told Nikkei that the growing presence of fellow Chinese citizens has made learning Japanese less critical, easing daily life and encouraging a sense of belonging. Even former residents who started in these complexes are now purchasing single-family homes in the same city, indicating a preference among many migrants to settle permanently in Japan.

Replacement and aging. One of Japan’s current issues is the aging population. This social reconfiguration is particularly evident in areas where the Japanese population has decreased due to both aging and low birth rates.

In Kawaguchi, schools that were once full have closed. The remaining Japanese residents, mostly elderly, are observing their neighborhoods transition into predominantly Chinese communities. 86-year-old Tetsuya Mashimo has lived in the complex since its opening in 1978. He told Nikkei, “This place has completely become a Chinese housing complex.”

Mihama and Warabi: the new “China.” Areas such as Mihama and Warabi have experienced a significant increase in their Chinese populations. Accessibility to central Tokyo and a low cost of living have driven this change. In Warabi, Chinese residents account for 8% of the total population, the highest percentage in the country. Mihama hosts around 5,700 Chinese residents. It also features large housing complexes such as Takasu Daiichi Danchi and Saiwai-cho Danchi, both maintained by the Urban Renaissance Agency. The agency actively promotes the arrival of foreigners by offering incentives such as waiving guarantees, renovation fees, and key money.

A national phenomenon. Cities throughout Japan have experienced an increasing number of Chinese nationals. According to Nikkei, Chinese citizens now reside in 1,603 of Japan’s 1,741 municipalities, which is around 92%. The Chinese population exceeds 1,000 residents in 128 municipalities. Although Chinese citizens are concentrated mainly in the Tokyo metropolitan area, they’re also present in rural regions.

For instance, in the small village of Shimukappu in Central Hokkaido, Chinese residents make up 5% of the 1,600 population. Many of them are drawn by ski tourism. In Sarufutsu, located in Northern Hokkaido, 3.4% of residents are trainee technicians working in scallop processing. Similar trends are found in Tobishima and Kawakami, where Chinese nationals are integrated into local agricultural and industrial sectors.

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