Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare's latest survey shows foreign workers reached 2,571,037 as of the end of October, up about 270,000 from the previous year and marking the 13th straight record high. Vietnam remains the largest source country with roughly 600,000 workers, followed by China and the Philippines; together they account for about half of all foreign workers. Myanmar saw the largest growth, rising more than 40% to around 160,000. In terms of sectors, manufacturing remains the largest employer but the healthcare and welfare sectors have surged due to labor shortages, especially in caregiving. Reasons cited by entrants for choosing Japan include safety and cultural appeal such as anime and J-Pop. Japan is often compared with Korea, where wages are approaching those in Japan and K-Pop remains popular, while the Middle East is seen as a quick earnings destination. On Jan 23 the government issued a new basic policy aiming to realize a safe, prosperous society for both Japanese and foreigners, with proper work qualifications and duties; employers are urged to hire accordingly. The outlook remains uncertain due to economic conditions and policy factors.