This news piece calls attention to the recent upswing in Filipino housemaids journeying to Japan for employment opportunities. This surge is underscored by a shifting socio-economic landscape in Japan where double-income families are on the rise and the ageing population increasing the domestic demand for household help. The decision to source housemaids from the Philippines can be attributed to the quality of service and strong English language capability often found in Filipino domestic workers.

Domestic help is mostly sourced from within Japan and typically carries a social stigma. The increase of Filipino housemaids in the country may initiate societal discussions about the role and status of domestic work in Japan. Also, as Japan has long had strict immigration policies, this significant rise may further spark debates on immigration and labor laws and their implication on the society and economy.

In the US and EU, domestic work is often sent offshore to other countries, rather than being outsourced. Moreover, there is more diversity in the countries from which domestic help is sourced. Compared to Japan, the US and EU are more multicultural and have more inclusive immigration policies.