International Migrants Day

What Is International Migrants Day?

December 18 is "International Migrants Day," established by a UN General Assembly resolution adopted on December 4, 2000. It commemorates the adoption, on December 18, 1990, of the "International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families." The day aims to protect the rights and dignity of migrants around the world and to recognize the positive contributions migrants make to economies, societies, and cultures.

The State of Migration Worldwide

According to UN statistics, there were approximately 280 million international migrants worldwide in 2020, accounting for about 3.6% of the global population. The countries of origin with the largest numbers of migrants include India, Mexico, China, and Russia.

• Economic migrants: People who move in search of better wages or employment opportunities
• Refugees and asylum seekers: People fleeing conflict or persecution (under UNHCR's mandate)
• International students: People moving across borders for educational purposes

Japan and Migration

• Foreign residents: More than 4 million people (about 4.13 million at the end of 2025). The Technical Intern Training Program and the Specified Skilled Worker system have led to a growing number of foreign workers
• Foreign workers: Increasingly vital contributors in fields such as construction, agriculture, caregiving, food service, and manufacturing
• Multicultural coexistence: Providing language and cultural support in schools, government services, and healthcare remains an ongoing challenge

International Migrants Day is an opportunity to deepen our understanding of migrants and foreign workers, and to think about how to build a society where people from diverse backgrounds can live together.