In Ginza, there are stores where everyone except the manager is a foreigner, but the convenience store industry is still lacking workers

Just the start of the article. Would need to read the complete article at a library.

In January, Tokyo’s Shinjuku Ward hosted its annual “Hatachi no Tsudoi,” a coming-of-age ceremony celebrating those who have turned 20. The event saw young people in traditional attire and suits gathering to mark this milestone. Of the 4,337 attendees, 46.7% (2,031 people) were foreigners, prompting the invitation to be provided in four languages.

The ward is home to numerous universities and Japanese language schools, attracting a significant number of international students. These students are an important segment of the workforce in Tokyo, especially with the capital experiencing a labor shortage. While they are generally restricted to working no more than 28 hours a week to avoid affecting their studies, foreigners make up about 1 in 14 workers in Tokyo—the highest proportion among Japan’s prefectures. A typical role they fill is that of convenience store clerks.

Such is the case at the FamilyMart located on Ginza’s Matsuya Street, bustling even on weekdays with inbound tourists. Liu Meiqin, 42, warmly greets customers as they enter, efficiently restocking merchandise and handling the cash register with ease.