A new wave of Chinese immigrants is arriving to Japan, and the momentum is only growing. By 2026, the number of Chinese nationals living in Japan is projected to reach 1 million—an increase from 650,000 just a decade ago.

Unlike earlier generations, this group is different. This influx is reshaping Japan’s real estate market, education sector, and even political discourse. High-net-worth and upper-middle-class individuals from China are driving demand in Japan’s luxury real estate market, acquiring high-end condos and properties all over Japan. Meanwhile, Chinese families are competing for coveted spots in prestigious international, private schools, and universities. At the same time, Tokyo is emerging as a key hub for Chinese dissidents, welcomed by Japanese diplomats and scholars as they establish an expanding community in the capital.

What is fueling this exodus, and why are so many choosing Japan? What are the long-term implications for Japan?

Asia Society Japan welcomes Takehiro Masutomo, author of Run Ri: Tracing the Footsteps of Chinese Elites Escaping to Japan, for a behind the scenes glimpse into this growing wave of immigration. An expert insider, Masutomo will shed light on to the economic, social, and political factors driving Chinese nationals to Japan—and what this means for Japan’s evolving relationship with China.

Event and Registration Details

June 3, 2025, 8:00 – 9:15 a.m. (JST)

• This event will be conducted in-person and online, and registration is required.
• In-person participation is for members and guests only. Please pay your fee by credit card (Visa or Mastercard only) or at the door.
• Online participation is open to the public and is free.

Speaker Bio

Takehiro Masutomo

Takehiro Masutomo is a quadrilingual journalist and adjunct researcher at Waseda University. He is the author of the newly published book, Run Ri: Tracing the Footsteps of Chinese Elites Escaping to Japan. Takehiro holds a Master’s degree in International Relations from the University of California, San Diego (UCSD). After joining Caixin Media in 2010, he covered international news, with a primary focus on Japan. From 2014 to 2016, he served as a research associate at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy at the National University of Singapore (NUS). Since 2022, he has provided commentary on Asian affairs for NHK Radio’s news program My Asa! In 2023, he launched the podcast Asia Frontline. His articles have been published in Weekly Toyo Keizai, Nishinippon Shimbun, NewsPicks, Nikkei Asia, The Japan Times, South China Morning Post, The Straits Times, The Jakarta Post, Kompas, Tempo, and many others.