OSAKA - With China's economy mired in a prolonged downturn and pressure from U.S. tariffs persisting since the Trump era, a growing number of Chinese citizens are seeking to leave their country. Among the favored destinations, Japan—and in particular, Osaka—is seeing a surge in Chinese immigrants. What lies behind this trend?
According to journalist Masutomo Takeshi, who specializes in China and Southeast Asia, the term “run” (ルン) has come into use to describe these new migrants. Derived from the English word “run,” it signifies a desire to escape—especially from the worsening domestic conditions in China. The 2022 COVID lockdown in Shanghai was a key turning point, spurring a wave of people eager to get out. Those choosing Japan for this escape are known as “run-ri” (run to Japan), and Masutomo has even authored a book by that name.
Masutomo explained that more people are feeling increasingly pessimistic about life in China. Politically, authoritarianism is deepening. Economically, the country remains stagnant. Socially, competition is intense, especially in education, and there is growing anxiety over freedom of speech.
Japan has emerged as a preferred destination. As of the end of 2024, approximately 870,000 Chinese nationals were living in Japan—a record high. While this figure had declined during the pandemic, it has steadily rebounded. Chinese residents now represent the largest group of foreign nationals in Japan, outnumbering Vietnamese (around 630,000) and Koreans (about 410,000).
Most of those migrating via “run” are from middle or upper-class backgrounds and tend to be in their 30s to 50s. Because learning Japanese becomes harder with age, they often form Chinese-only networks and communities. Even without fluency in Japanese, many still choose to move, seeing Japan as a cost-effective and comfortable place to live.
Masutomo emphasized Japan's strong appeal: compared with other developed countries, the quality of life is high while daily expenses remain relatively low due to the weak yen. Social security, healthcare, and especially education are seen as major draws.
The pressure in China's education system is intense. The university entrance exam known as the "gaokao" is one of the world’s most grueling one-shot tests, determining a student's entire future. Only 58% of junior high students move on to regular high schools via the “zhongkao” exam, and just 35% of high schoolers enter four-year universities. Even then, only 45.4% of university graduates were offered jobs in 2023—a sharp contrast to Japan.
With such intense academic and career competition, many Chinese families are looking abroad. In Japan, children have more free time, broader educational choices, and fewer exams dictating their future.
Chinese parents also invest far more in education than their Japanese counterparts. While Japanese households spend an average of 2.2% of annual income on education, Chinese households spend about 7.9%—roughly 3.4 times more. One family cited in the article spent 12 million yen on supplementary classes and contests. This level of investment is not unusual. With China’s weaker social safety nets, children are often seen as long-term financial security, driving parents to prioritize educational success at all costs.
In Japan, even after arriving without knowing the language, many children adapt quickly. One example is a girl who moved to Osaka two years ago and initially spoke no Japanese. Within a year, she scored all top marks and finished runner-up in a schoolwide contest. Her family had calculated that aiming for top Chinese universities would require 100% effort, while in Japan, they could aim for the University of Tokyo with 70% effort and still leave time for extracurriculars and broader experiences.
At cram schools in Japan, the Chinese student population is increasing rapidly. At Argus Prep School, about 30% of the 100 students are Chinese. The school opened a dedicated classroom for Chinese students in June 2023, many of whom aim to enter top Japanese universities such as the University of Tokyo and Kyoto University.
Chinese parents see Japan as a country where their children can succeed academically while enjoying a better quality of life. Back in China, even lunch breaks are sometimes devoted to study under teachers’ supervision. In contrast, the same student in Japan can now enjoy club activities and leisure time, while still keeping up with studies.
Osaka, in particular, has seen the most dramatic rise. The number of Chinese residents in Osaka grew to 57,396 in 2024—more than double the 2010 figure. The turning point came in 2016, when the city launched its "Special Zone Minpaku" (short-term rental) program under a national strategic zone designation. This allowed more flexibility than the standard 180-day-per-year rental limit. Today, 95% of all special zone minpaku operations nationwide are located in Osaka, with around 40% of them operated by Chinese entrepreneurs.
The city's center has seen a visible increase in Chinese residents. Earlier arrivals often speak Japanese and are integrated into the local community. In contrast, newer arrivals tend to remain within Chinese-only circles due to language barriers, especially among those in their 30s to 50s.
For many, operating minpaku properties has become a gateway to residency. Japan offers a Business Manager visa for entrepreneurs who invest at least 5 million yen and employ at least two people—often the husband and wife themselves. This is relatively lenient compared to investor visa policies in the U.S. and Europe, where such schemes are being tightened or phased out.
Masutomo reported cases where Chinese nationals received their Japanese business visas in as little as one month.
In short, an ecosystem has developed: more Chinese people are seeking to escape difficult conditions at home, and many are drawn to Japan for their children's education. To move legally, they establish short-term rental businesses, and Osaka—with its generous minpaku rules—becomes the obvious choice.
The result brings both benefits and challenges. On one hand, the influx of Chinese investors and entrepreneurs—dubbed "run money"—brings vitality to the Japanese economy. On the other hand, residents are reporting disputes over short-term rentals, and the increase in real estate purchases is driving up prices in some neighborhoods. Competition in education is also intensifying.
Chinese citizens cannot buy land outright in their own country—they only lease it for 60 years. But in Japan, foreigners can own property. This too adds to the allure.
Whether Japan can or should continue this trend is a matter of public debate. What’s clear is that Osaka has become a key destination in a migration story shaped by education, economics, and opportunity.
Source: ABCTVnews
