Japan’s National Police Agency held the first meeting of an expert panel on September 16 to examine whether the security services sector should be added to the Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) Program.
Japan’s security industry is facing a serious labor shortage, but the sector currently has limited opportunities to make full use of foreign workers.
The panel is expected to compile a report by January 2027. Whether the security services sector should also be added to the Employment for Skill Development Program (ESDP) will be among the issues under consideration.
In 2025, Japan had a total of 596,985 security guards. Of these, 8.6% were temporary security guards employed for less than four months, according to the National Police Agency’s Overview of the Security Industry in 2025.
The total number of security guards has shown little growth since 2021, when the Tokyo Olympics were held.
The age distribution also highlights the aging of the workforce. Security guards aged 60 or older account for 47.3% of the total, including 21.6% aged 70 or older.
Those aged 40 to 59 account for 32.9%, while younger workers under 40 make up only 19.8%.
At the same time, the security industry has begun introducing technologies to reduce its reliance on human labor.
Examples include:
- Security robots
- Virtual security systems and avatar reception services
- Security drones
- Security screening and inspection equipment
Age Composition of Security Guards in Japan
By Hajime Saito
X: @hajimesaitoYJC
Sources:
Nikkei (Sep. 16, 2026)
Business Statistics, National Police Agency
Next Read:
Status of Residence in Japan
SSW (Specified Skilled Worker)
ESDP (Employment for Skill Development Program)
