Number of Koreans Employed in Japan Rises by 8% in Four Years
More Seeking Opportunities in Japan Amid Job Market Pressures and Marriage Costs
Increase in Korea-Japan Couples Reflects Clear Trend Toward Settling in Japan
Korean men, weary from fierce job competition and the financial burden of marriage in Korea, are turning their attention to Japan. The relatively stable working environment and more flexible financial expectations for marriage in Japan are proving attractive, leading to a growing number of Koreans who not only seek employment but also consider settling down locally.
According to Shueisha Online on December 16, the number of Koreans working or hoping to settle in Japan has steadily increased in recent years. Statistics from Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare show that the number of Koreans employed in Japan rose from about 69,000 in 2020 to approximately 75,000 in 2024, marking an increase of about 8% over four years.
"TOEIC Score of 850 and Height Over 180cm"... Discouraged by High Barriers to Employment in Korea
One of the main reasons for choosing Japan is the structural difficulties of Korea's job market. Choi Geonwoo (34, pseudonym), a Korean man who found a job in Japan in 2019, told the media that although he majored in hotel management at a Korean university, he faced significant obstacles during the domestic job search process.
He recalled, "I applied to 10 five-star hotels in Seoul and was accepted by only one," adding, "A TOEIC score of at least 850 is considered basic, and appearance is also emphasized to the extent that there were even rumors male applicants needed to be at least 180cm tall." After finally landing a job, he eventually left Korea due to long working hours and low wages.
Job seekers attending the "2025 Win-Win Cooperation Job Fair" held on October 21 at COEX Magok in Gangseo-gu, Seoul, are checking the job postings.
Now working at a real estate-related company in Japan, he said, "Although the salary level is similar, there is almost no work contact after hours or on holidays, and my personal life is respected," adding, "Having become accustomed to this environment, it would be difficult to return to work in Korea."
Lee Jihoon, who works at the Japanese employment support service KOREC, explained, "In Korea, the phrase 'Sorry for being a liberal arts major' has become common, reflecting how extremely difficult it is for liberal arts graduates to find jobs. The concentration of opportunities in large corporations and high barriers to entry for specific roles are causing more young people to look abroad."
"Japanese Women Are Okay Even Without a House"... Record Number of Korea-Japan Couples
Along with the trend of settling in Japan, the number of Korea-Japan international marriages is also rapidly increasing. According to Statistics Korea, 1,176 marriages between Korean men and Japanese women were recorded in 2024, a 40% increase from the previous year and the highest number since 2015.
A significant portion of Korean men hoping to work in Japan cite having a Japanese partner as a reason, and meeting through foreign language exchange applications has also become common.
The media points out that the excessive financial burden placed on Korean men regarding marriage is driving this trend toward Japan. Lee said, "In Korea, there is significant pressure on men to provide a newlywed home, but in Japan, the financial requirements for marriage are relatively flexible."
Military Service and K-Culture Influence... Rising Evaluation of Korean Men in Japan
Additionally, changing perceptions of Korean men in Japanese society are having an impact. The experience of fulfilling military service, which instills responsibility and organizational skills, is seen as a sign of reliability, and the spread of K-dramas and K-pop has increased overall affection for Korean culture.
Shueisha Online analyzed, "As coexistence with foreigners becomes an increasingly important issue in Japanese society, the presence of young Koreans is growing," adding, "The importance of people-to-people exchanges and mutual understanding between the two countries will only increase in the future."
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