Adapted by:
Miguel Jorge
WriterJournalist. I've spent more than half of my life writing about technology, science, and culture. Before landing here, I worked at Telefónica, Prisa, Globus Comunicación, Hipertextual, and Gizmodo. I'm part of Webedia's cross-section team.
Alba Mora
WriterAn established tech journalist, I entered the world of consumer tech by chance in 2018. In my writing and translating career, I've also covered a diverse range of topics, including entertainment, travel, science, and the economy.
Japan has been experiencing a substantial increase in foreign arrivals for some time now. This surge isn’t limited to tourists. Many people are coming to stay. One nation stands out among these groups: Chinese nationals are arriving in large numbers, often not intending to return due to economic opportunities and socio-political challenges back home. This has led many young Chinese students to enroll in art college programs.
Art as a pathway to residency. The migration of Chinese citizens to Japan is reaching unprecedented levels. With the relaxation of visa requirements, this influx is no longer limited to the wealthy elite. It now includes the middle class as well. Estimates suggest that by 2026, the number of Chinese citizens living in Japan will exceed one million.
This increase is transforming the demographic landscape and the culture, lifestyle, and educational systems in several Japanese cities. Within this trend, one specific group has become particularly notable: Chinese art students, who view Japanese universities as a means to secure permanent residency in the country.
The case of Li Yalin. Nikkei recently reported the story of 28-year-old Li Yalin. After earning her bachelor’s degree in China, she moved to Tokyo in 2019 to study Japanese at a language school. However, the pandemic forced her to return to her home country. Determined to continue her education in Japan, she took the entrance exam for the Kyoto University of Arts remotely. She’s now living in Japan, specializing in character design for video games.
Raised in a middle-class family in Guangzhou in Southern China, Li grew up deeply influenced by Japanese culture, particularly through video games like Pokémon. She recently secured a job at a video game company in Tokyo, with plans to begin work in spring. After just a few years in the country, she’s already considering her path to permanent residency.
A growing phenomenon. The number of Chinese students attending Japan’s top art universities has increased dramatically. According to Nikkei, there are currently 245 Chinese students at Tokyo University of the Arts, 462 at Musashino Art University, 448 at Tama Art University, 692 at Kyoto University of the Arts, and 823 at Kyoto Seika University.
Overall, Chinese students make up 70% of the international student population at these universities, highlighting a clear migration pattern that connects education with long-term settlement in Japan.
A turning point. In 2017, the Japanese government relaxed the requirements for obtaining permanent residency. This change particularly benefited international students, allowing them to apply for residency in as little as one to three years, compared to the previous requirement of five years.
Additionally, the policy is part of the “Cool Japan” initiative, which aims to enhance the Japanese cultural industry, including sectors such as anime, design, and video games. As a result, it’s become easier for foreigners to obtain work visas in these fields. As such, careers in animation, design, and video games have transformed into a pathway for quick access to permanent residency.
How to get permanent residency in Japan. The residency application process involves a point system that evaluates applicants based on several factors. These include academic level, work experience, annual income, age, and proficiency in the Japanese language. Those who score 70 points are classified as “highly skilled professionals,” while individuals who exceed 80 points can apply for permanent residency in just one year.
Ren Junying, a 30-year-old originally from Hebei in Northern China, is a successful example of Japan’s point system. She completed her PhD at Tokyo University of the Arts and currently works as a jewelry designer in Tokyo. Despite being in the job market for less than a year, she’s achieved 90 points, positioning her to obtain residency soon.
Chinese migration and labor structure. Japan has a unique mass recruitment system for recent graduates, making it easier for international students to find employment than in other countries like the U.S. As a result, the number of Chinese individuals with permanent residency in Japan has increased by 40% since 2017, reaching 330,000 as of June 2024.
Moreover, permanent residency benefits spouses, who can obtain unrestricted work visas. In recent years, the number of people acquiring residency through this means has significantly grown, further strengthening the Chinese community in Japan.
Universities as a “migrant” springboard. Nikkei reported cases like the Coach Academy, a preparatory school for Chinese students in Tokyo’s Shinjuku ward. The academy has experienced a surge in enrollment of young Chinese seeking to enter Japanese art universities. For example, 25-year-old Yang Kailin arrived in Japan in April 2023 to prepare for a postgraduate degree in art. “After graduating, I aim to work for a Japanese toy manufacturer, and, if possible, I would like to live in Japan permanently,” she told the outlet.
Coach Academy introduced an art course in 2015 with just 10 Chinese students. Today, that number has grown to more than 200. Additionally, a new phenomenon has emerged: Chinese parents are now actively driving the migration of their children to Japan. An employee at a preparatory school pointed out “a stronger enthusiasm for studying arts in Japan coming from the parents in China.” The rationale behind this shift is that if a student acquires permanent residency in Japan as a highly skilled professional, their parents may also benefit from potential migration opportunities.
Chinese migration is on the rise. Japan is becoming increasingly attractive as a migration destination, and this appeal extends beyond just art universities. As the Chinese economy shows signs of stagnation and unemployment rises, many young people are seeking opportunities abroad.
Interestingly, the growth of the Chinese community in Japan is influencing the country’s social structure. Flexible migration policies, access to jobs, and a high living standard have made Japan an appealing choice for those looking for stability outside of China.
Image | Victoria Berman
Related | Japan’s Aging Population Hits Rock Bottom: More Older Adults Are Choosing to Live in Prison
Log in to leave a comment