Japan Immigration News

News in Easy English: Japan ready to accept many more foreign workers

Release Date: 2024-03-30
Media: The Mainichi
Summary: The Japanese government has decided to expand the "specified skilled worker" residency program to include four new sectors—automotive transportation, railways, forestry, and timber—allowing up to 820,000 foreign workers to enter the program by 2028. This decision comes in response to Japan’s shrinking population and labor shortages. The program, which started in 2019, aims to address workforce gaps in sectors such as nursing, construction, agriculture, and food services, and includes two types of residency: Type (i) for a five-year stay, and Type (ii) for indefinite stay with family.

By October 2023, about 2.05 million foreign workers were in Japan, and industries’ reliance on foreign labor has more than doubled since 2013. While there was initial resistance from conservative members of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) over concerns about competition for jobs and immigration, opposition has eased as Japan’s labor shortages have become more pressing.

In 2023, the government expanded the Type (ii) residency to 11 sectors, allowing foreign workers to obtain permanent residency. Initially, only a few sectors like construction and shipbuilding were included. The number of foreign workers to be accepted in the next five years was initially projected at 1 million but was reduced to 820,000 due to increased productivity in Japanese industries and concerns about job protection for Japanese citizens.

Over the past five years, more than 200,000 foreigners have entered Japan under this program, filling vital roles in various sectors. LDP opposition has largely diminished, and government officials stress the importance of foreign labor and the need for cooperation between the public and private sectors to promote Japan as an attractive destination for foreign workers.
Tags: Immigration Policy,Specified Skilled Worker

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