What Makes Kanagawa So Special?

Kanagawa Prefecture is recognized by many people in Japan and abroad as an attractive place to live. The following is a detailed introduction to Kanagawa's attractions.

Diverse Tourist Attractions

Kanagawa Prefecture is home to various tourist attractions within Yokohama, Kamakura, and Hakone. It is also home to the US Fleet Activities Yokosuka, an American Naval base in Japan. In Yokohama, the Landmark Tower, Minato Mirai district, and Chinatown are popular among tourists. Kamakura has many historical temples and shrines, and its abundant nature makes hiking enjoyable. Hakone is famous for its hot springs, where you can relax and enjoy the beautiful natural scenery.

Convenient Transportation

Kanagawa Prefecture is adjacent to Tokyo and has well-developed railroads and highways. With easy access to the Shinkansen bullet train and airports, it is very convenient to travel domestically and internationally.

International Environment

Yokohama is known as a particularly cosmopolitan city, with many foreign residents. International schools and multilingual medical facilities are readily available, making life in Yokohama safe and comfortable for foreign residents. Yokohama is increasingly hosting international events, and art events such as the Yokohama Triennale in 2023 which have attracted much attention.

Industry and Employment Opportunities

Kanagawa Prefecture is home to a variety of industries, from manufacturing to IT, research, and development, providing attractive employment opportunities for foreign workers. In particular, the Port of Yokohama is a hub for international trade, and trade-related jobs are plentiful.

Good Balance Of Nature And Urban Environment

Kanagawa Prefecture has a good balance of urban and natural areas, offering both urban conveniences and natural beauty. New efforts are being made to improve parks and green areas in the prefecture, and environmental protection initiatives are also actively in store. This makes Kanagawa an attractive place to visit, live, and work.

Which Nationalities Make Up The Population Of Kanagawa?

There are many foreigners living in Kanagawa Prefecture, especially residents from the following countries: Government statistics from 2022 show that the foreign population of Kanagawa Prefecture has reached approximately 240,000, the largest number of which are from China.

China: approx. 70,000

This is the largest foreign community in Kanagawa Prefecture. In particular, many Chinese live in the Chinatown area in Naka-ku, Yokohama, where there are many Chinese restaurants and Chinese schools.

Vietnam: approx. 30,000

In recent years, the number of Vietnamese immigrants has rapidly increased and they make up most technical interns and foreign students. Vietnamese restaurants and Vietnamese cultural events are also plentiful, especially in Kawasaki City and Yokohama City.

South Korea: approx. 26,000

There are plenty of South Korean employees as well, with Korean restaurants and events introducing traditional Korean culture being held mainly in Yokohama and Kawasaki cities.

Philippines: approx. 24,000

Many people from the Philippines are immigrating to Japan with their families. Filipino restaurants and events introducing Filipino culture are also active.

Nepal: approx. 9,500

Migration from Nepal is also on the rise, especially for technical intern positions. Many Nepalese restaurants and Nepalese community events are held here.

Many other immigrants from India, Brazil, and the U.S. also reside in Kanagawa. This prefecture promotes multiculturalism and is making an effort to create a safe environment for foreign residents. Multilingual administrative services and international exchange events are actively held to promote harmonious coexistence with the local community.

How Is the Labor Shortage in Kanagawa?

The labor shortage in Kanagawa Prefecture is becoming more serious due to the effects of the nation's declining birthrate and aging population.

Current Labor Shortage Situation

Labor shortages in Kanagawa Prefecture are evident in many industries. According to the “Ratio of Effective Job Openings by Region” published by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare in 2023, the ratio of effective job openings in Kanagawa Prefecture exceeds 1.5 times, which is higher than the national average (approximately 1.3 times). This indicates that there are more than 1.5 job openings for every one job seeker, evidence of a labor shortage that is becoming apparent.

Industries With Particular Shortages of Young Workers

Manufacturing Industry

According to the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry in 2023, while skilled workers are retiring, it is difficult to secure new young workers, and skill succession is an issue, especially for small and medium-sized companies.

Nursing and Welfare Industry

A 2023 survey conducted by the Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare shows that while demand is rapidly increasing due to the aging of society, the supply of nursing care workers is not keeping up with the demand, and in particular, there are few young people entering the industry. The effective ratio of job offers for nursing care workers in Kanagawa Prefecture exceeds 3 times, which is higher than the national average (approximately 2.5 times).

Construction Industry

Finally, while demand for infrastructure development and urban redevelopment is high, the number of young workers is decreasing. In particular, the skilled workforce is aging, and there is an urgent need to train and secure young human resources based on the 2023 data sourced from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism.

Measures And Initiatives To Address Labor Shortages

Kanagawa Prefecture is promoting the following measures to address these labor shortages.

Promotion of Employment of Young People:

In cooperation with high schools and vocational schools in the prefecture, internships and work experience are promoted. In particular, programs are being implemented to increase interest in the manufacturing and nursing care industries.

Acceptance of Foreign Workers:

Foreign workers are being actively accepted through the Specified Skill System. In particular, they are expected to play an active role in the nursing care and construction industries.

Reform of Work Styles:

The creation of a comfortable work environment is currently being promoted alongside focusing on creating a workplace that is attractive to younger workers. We are also promoting the introduction of telework and flexible work arrangements.

Through these measures, Kanagawa Prefecture is striving to resolve the labor shortage and secure a workforce of younger workers. However, more efforts are needed to achieve a sustainable, long-term solution.

Seize Job Opportunities in Kanagawa

As explained in the article, many foreigners are already living and working eagerly in Kanagawa Prefecture, which is an attractive place with an important trade market for Japanese workers as well.

What are you waiting for? Start your job-hunting journey with Guidable Jobs in Kanagawa today! We can guarantee that with our service, you’ll never miss out on any job updates within Kanagawa Prefecture.