Japan Immigration News

Japan Job Market Points to Shift on Immigration

Release Date: 2024-11-23
Media: Newsweek
Summary: Japan is addressing a severe labor shortage in its transportation sector by planning to license up to 24,500 foreign drivers by fiscal year 2028. Traditionally hesitant toward large-scale immigration, Japan is expanding efforts to attract foreign workers due to labor deficits across industries like construction, elder care, and manufacturing.

In March, the government added transportation services to the "specified skilled worker" visa category, enabling foreign drivers to apply for medium- and long-term visas. It also expedited translation of the Class 2 driver’s license exam into multiple languages, a move that has already helped companies like Kyoto-based Matsushima Mobility Service hire foreign drivers, including Moroccan national Belkouchia Youssef.

Japan faces significant demographic challenges, with people over 65 making up 30% of the population and one of the world’s lowest fertility rates (1.2 births per woman). These trends have pressured Japan to rely more on immigration to sustain its economy. Over the next five years, Japan expects to welcome 820,000 foreign workers, double the number from the previous five years, but estimates suggest it will need three times as many by 2040.

Vietnamese, Chinese, and Filipinos make up the largest share of foreign workers, who now total a record 2.05 million, up 40% since 2018. Recent measures make it easier for foreign workers to gain skills training, change jobs within industries, and pursue permanent residency, reflecting Japan's effort to stabilize its shrinking labor force.
Tags: Immigration Policy, Specified Skilled Worker

News Articles including "Immigration Policy, Specified Skilled Worker"

1

Released on

Article Title

Tags

2024-11-23

Japan Job Market Points to Shift on Immigration(Newsweek)

Immigration Policy, Specified Skilled Worker

2024-11-14

Opening Borders For Workers: Abe’s Profound Influence On Japan’s Immigration Regime(eurasia review)

Immigration Policy

2024-11-08

Local approaches to Japan's immigration challenges(EAST ASIA FORUM)

Immigration Policy

2024-10-30

Improved Immigration: Japan’s Solution to Its Population Crisis(Harvard International Review)

Immigration Policy

2024-09-30

FY2024 International FPCJ Webinar: Population Decline and Immigration Policy: How Can Japan Become a Country To Be Chosen?(Foreign Press Center Japan)

Immigration Policy

2024-09-15

For investors, intellectuals leaving China, it's Japan -- not US -- that's the bigger draw(The Mainichi)

Immigration Policy,China

2024-07-28

Less than half of foreign workers want to remain in Japan's countryside(NIKKEI Asia)

Immigration Policy

2024-07-04

Japan headed for shortage of 970,000 foreign workers in 2040(NIKKEI Asia)

Population,Immigration Policy

2024-06-21

Japan to launch online travel authorization system for visitors(Japan Times)

Immigration Policy

2024-06-15

On topic: Japan's challenges in boosting immigration(NIKKEI Asia)

Immigration Policy

2024-06-14

Japan's new foreign worker program sets off scramble for talent(NIKKEI Asia)

Immigration Policy

2024-06-07

Japan to enroll all foreign residents in national pension system(NIKKEI Asia)

Immigration Policy

2024-05-27

Yoroku: Can Japan keep saying immigration rules trump foreigners' constitutional rights?(The Mainichi)

Court,Immigration Policy,Immigration Law

2024-05-15

No, Japan’s actually not a xenophobic country(Asia Times)

Immigration Policy

2024-05-14

Foreign workers in Japan climb the ladder at smaller firms(NIKKEI Asia)

Immigration Policy,Population

2024-05-07

Japan tells U.S. that Biden’s ‘xenophobia’ comment is regrettable(The Asahi Shimbun)

Immigration Policy

2024-05-07

Biden's labeling of Japan as xenophobic 'regrettable,' gov't says( KYODO NEWS)

Immigration Policy

2024-05-07

Japan defends its immigration policy, amid Joe Biden's accusations of xenophobia(Le Monde)

Immigration Policy

2024-05-03

Joe Biden calls US allies India and Japan 'xenophobic'(BBC)

Immigration Policy

2024-05-02

Biden calls US ally Japan ‘xenophobic’ along with India, Russia and China(CNN)

Immigration Policy

2024-05-02

Biden Calls Japan and India ‘Xenophobic’ in Defending U.S. Immigration(The New York Times)

Immigration Policy

2024-04-11

Japan targets India and Southeast Asia to recruit tech workers(Nikkei Asia)

Immigration Policy

2024-04-08

Indian business leader hopes more young Indians work in Japan(NIKKEI Asia)

Immigration Policy

2024-03-30

News in Easy English: Japan ready to accept many more foreign workers(The Mainichi)

Immigration Policy,Specified Skilled Worker

2024-03-19

Japan to help employers spot labor issues faced by foreign workers(NIKKEI Asia)

Immigration Policy,Training employment

2024-03-17

Cabinet OKs new foreign trainee program to promote longer stays(Japan Today)

Immigration Policy

2024-03-16

Japan battles Taiwan and South Korea for foreign workers(NIKKEI Asia)

Immigration Policy

2024-03-06

Opinion: Japan must reform its refugee and immigration system to avoid further tragedies(The Mainichi)

Immigration Policy

2024-02-07

Japan bets on tech, immigration as labor crisis worsens(DW)

Immigration Policy

2024-02-07

Record 2 million foreign workers are changing the face of Japan(Japan Times)

Immigration Policy

2024-01-16

Immigration consultations to be held in Kanazawa on Thursday(NHK)

Immigration Policy

2024-01-09

Japan’s Immigration Agency Eases Entertainment Visa Rules; Application Process Streamlined, Maximum Stay Increased(The Japan News)

Immigration Policy,Status of Residence

2024-01-07

Is Japan finally embracing immigration?(The Spectator)

Immigration Policy

2024-01-04

2023 Rewind: Is Japan ready to accept foreigners as part of its society?(The Mainichi)

Immigration Policy

2023-12-26

Japan could relax immigration policy as Abe faction wanes in LDP(NIKKEI Asia)

Immigration Policy

2023-10-14

Number of foreign residents in Japan rises to record 3.2 million(KYODO NEWS)

Immigration Policy