In recent years, the issue of declining birthrates and population aging has become a serious social challenge across Asia. Once thought to be a phenomenon limited to developed nations, rapid aging is now emerging in many parts of Asia, particularly in East Asia, due to economic growth and advancements in healthcare. Japan, having experienced aging earlier and more intensively than any other country, is often cited as a “super-aged society.” However, South Korea and Taiwan are also now heading toward similar demographic shifts.(介護現場に不可欠な外国人材、本当のライバルは海外…外国人1割時代 介護の現場で<下> 2025-06-15 読売新聞)
The Current Situation in South Korea and Taiwan
South Korea has the lowest fertility rate in the world, with the total fertility rate falling below 0.7 as of 2023. This indicates a rapid natural population decline and a corresponding surge in the elderly population. Taiwan also reports an alarmingly low fertility rate, below 1.0, signaling similar trends. In both countries, the securing of labor to support the elderly—especially care workers—has become an urgent concern, and the demand for foreign caregiving labor is increasing, just as it is in Japan.
Rising Competition for Foreign Care Workers
Against this backdrop, Southeast Asian countries—particularly Indonesia, the Philippines, and Vietnam—are being seen as key sources of caregiving labor. These countries are in the midst of a demographic dividend, meaning they have a large, youthful labor force. Moreover, they have strong traditions of overseas employment and remittances, making them natural partners in care workforce migration.
To date, many caregivers have already migrated to Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan, but competition among these receiving countries is intensifying. All three are working to attract skilled care workers from the same limited pool of sending countries.
Japan’s Advantages and Challenges in Attracting Care Workers
Japan’s Attractive Features:
- High Standard of Living and SafetyJapan offers a high quality of life, strong public infrastructure, and one of the safest living environments in the world, making it appealing to foreign workers.
- Well-Developed Legal FrameworksJapan has structured programs like the Technical Intern Training Program and the Specified Skilled Worker visa category. These frameworks provide relatively stable immigration status and a clear legal pathway for caregiving professionals.
- Support for Japanese Language LearningVarious programs support Japanese language training, and many institutions offer pre-employment language education and on-the-job training.
- Experience and Institutional Know-HowJapan has more than a decade of experience in accepting care workers through Economic Partnership Agreements (EPA), particularly with Indonesia, the Philippines, and Vietnam.
Japan’s Challenges:
- Language and Cultural BarriersJapanese is considered a difficult language to master, especially for work in caregiving, where communication with elderly clients is essential. Additionally, Japanese workplace culture, including indirect communication and hierarchical structures, can pose challenges for foreign workers.
- Relatively Low WagesDespite Japan’s economic status, wages in the caregiving sector remain low compared to the overall average. Other receiving countries like South Korea and Taiwan are increasingly offering better compensation.
- Lack of Career Path ClarityMany foreign care workers do not have clear long-term career prospects in Japan. Without pathways to permanent residency, professional development, or promotions, maintaining motivation is difficult.
- Social Integration IssuesIn some areas, discrimination or bias against foreign workers persists. This undermines their sense of belonging and reduces the likelihood of long-term settlement.
Comparison with South Korea and Taiwan
South Korea and Taiwan are both making strides in improving conditions for foreign care workers. South Korea, in particular, is actively enhancing wage levels and working conditions. The government has made efforts to create multilingual training materials and to adapt working environments to better accommodate foreign staff.
Taiwan, while historically relying on family-based elder care, is now rapidly developing institutional care systems. The country makes extensive use of migrant domestic workers for caregiving roles and is known for offering flexible working conditions and more accommodating visa policies.
In comparison, Japan is still seen as having stricter requirements, particularly in language proficiency and visa procedures, which can deter potential applicants.
Policy Recommendations for Japan
In order for Japan to secure a stable supply of care workers from Southeast Asia and remain competitive against Korea and Taiwan, several key policy measures are necessary.
① Improve Wages and Working Conditions
Improving the wage levels of caregivers is crucial—not only to attract foreign workers but also to retain domestic workers in the sector. Wage structures should be linked to skill levels and experience, with clear guidelines for promotions and bonus eligibility.
② Support Long-Term Career Development
Foreign caregivers should be provided with pathways to build a long-term career in Japan. This includes support for acquiring caregiving certifications (such as the “Kaigo Fukushishi” license), Japanese language proficiency, and eventually permanent residency or even management roles.
③ Enhance Daily Life Support and Social Integration
Beyond the workplace, foreign caregivers need support in areas such as housing, healthcare, childcare, and education. Creating a comprehensive support system will make it easier for these individuals to settle and integrate into Japanese society. Cultural exchange events and community-based inclusion programs should be promoted to encourage mutual understanding.
④ Utilize Multilingual Resources and ICT
To lower the language barrier, the government and care facilities should invest in multilingual manuals and training materials. Technology such as translation apps, speech-to-text services, and digital care records can also ease communication and improve efficiency.
⑤ Strengthen International Partnerships
Japan should deepen collaboration with sending countries by co-establishing vocational training centers, offering Japanese language education prior to migration, and supporting returnee career development. Such strategic partnerships can ensure a sustainable supply of motivated, well-trained care workers.
Conclusion
Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan are all facing the realities of rapidly aging populations, and their need for foreign care workers is only expected to grow. Japan possesses many strengths as a receiving country—safety, infrastructure, and institutional experience—but it also faces serious challenges in wage levels, social integration, and language requirements.
To remain competitive in the race for foreign caregiving talent, Japan must reform its caregiving labor system in ways that promote inclusivity, career growth, and long-term residency for foreign workers. By shifting from short-term labor solutions to a long-term integration model, Japan can not only meet its immediate care needs but also build a more diverse and sustainable society for the future.