Based on the government's economic growth scenario, the team calculated Japan's hypothetical target for GDP at 704 trillion yen ($6 trillion) in 2040, a 36 percent increase from the figure in 2015. The researchers estimated that Japan will need 4.19 million foreign workers in 2030 and 6.74 million in 2040, to achieve the GDP target. The estimates took into account the country's anticipated decline in the working population, expected increases in capital investment for automation, and other factors. According to the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, around 1,727,000 foreign workers were in Japan as of the end of October 2021. Among them were around 350,000 technical interns under the government's trainee program, and 330,000 others who received permission, called "shikaku gai katsudo kyoka," to engage in activities that would otherwise be unauthorized under their assigned residence status. For example, foreign students can receive that permission when they engage in part-time jobs.