The Location of Yamanashi Prefecture

Yamanashi Prefecture is located in the central part of Japan and is an inland region, surrounded by other prefectures, with no coastline. The prefecture is blessed with mountains such as Mount Fuji, the Yatsugatake Mountains, and the Southern Alps, with about 86% of the area being mountainous, excluding the central Kofu Basin. Yamanashi has six natural parks, offering beautiful landscapes throughout the year, enriched with greenery and abundant water.
The region boasts the longest sunshine duration in Japan, and the combination of ample sunlight and water has fostered the production of famous agricultural products, wine, jewelry, and silk textiles. The climate is inland, surrounded by mountains, and tends to have higher precipitation in the summer months.

Mount Fuji as Seen from Mount Akadake in the Yatsugatake Mountain Range

Like other prefectures, Yamanashi is facing challenges related to a declining birthrate and an aging population, which is expected to lead to labor shortages. The number of foreign workers in Yamanashi is just under 10,000, with the majority coming from Vietnam, Brazil, and China. About 30% of these workers are employed in manufacturing, while others work in service industries, wholesale and retail, and hospitality and food service sectors.
In terms of residency status, over 50% of foreign workers hold residency based on familial or personal ties, making this the largest group. This is followed by technical interns, who account for about 20%, and those in specialized or technical fields, who make up just under 20%. These foreign workers are crucial in supporting Yamanashi’s labor market across various industries.