Here is a comparison of the number of registered foreigners in Japan in 2002 and 2008.
In 2002 there were 1,851,000 foreign residents, among which 1,371,000 Asians, 334,600 South Americans, 63,200 North Americans (incl. 48,000 US citizens), 55,300 Europeans (incl. 18,500 British, 6,300 French, 6,000 Russians, 4,600 Germans, 1,800 Italians), 16,000 Oceanians (incl. 11,400 Australians) and 9,700 Africans.
In 2008. The total had by then reached 2,217,426 foreigners, among which 1,670,000 Asians, 389,000 South Americans, 67,700 North Americans (incl. 52,600 US citizens), 61,800 Europeans (incl. 17,000 British, 9,300 French, 7,600 Russians, 6,000 Germans, 2,500 Italians), 14,700 Oceanians (incl. 10,700 Australians) and 12,000 Africans.
The numbers are rising steadily, except for Oceanians (mostly Australians) and British citizens, who are less numerous on the archipelago than 6 years earlier. Of the 366,000 additional foreign residents, 300,000 came from other Asian nations.
The question is, why are Britons and Aussies leaving Japan when all other Westerners are coming in greater number ? Japan blues ? Moving to Shanghai instead ?
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