Finally attacking the shortage of manpower in Japan

The proposed amendment to the Immigration Control Act marks a major shift in the government's official policy, which has so far prohibited foreign workers from engaging in manual labor in this country. Despite this policy, Japan is increasingly relying on foreign nationals – technical trainees and foreign students who do not officially go to Japan – to fill a serious labor shortage. in the country. The amendment, submitted last week to the Diet, is a step forward as the country is finally understanding the need to accept more foreign workers to compensate for the labor shortage caused by the rapid aging and contraction of its population. Now the challenge is to take steps to create an attractive environment that will encourage foreigners to choose Japan as a work destination.

Behind the political shift is the fact that the Japanese economy can no longer be maintained without foreign workers. With a birth rate almost at its lowest, the country's working-age population (15 to 64 years old) has dropped 13% from the 1995 peak of 75.96 million last year – and should fall below the 70 million mark by 2030. 60 million by 2040. Although more and more women and older people are joining the workforce, the labor shortage is growing. is growing in many sectors as the economy continues to recover.

The number of foreign workers in Japan has grown rapidly – reaching a record 1.27 million at the end of October last year, nearly double the level recorded five years earlier. One in 50 employed was a foreigner – and the ratio was much higher in sectors where the labor shortage is severe, such as manufacturing, bars and restaurants. Despite the growing dependence of the economy on foreign workers, work visas represent only about 230,000, or less than 20% of the total. While the government has sought to invite more workers with professional skills and expertise, people who come to Japan for non-professional purposes – foreign students studying in schools in Japan and participants in the training program. technical trainees – represent approximately 250,000 people in total. .

The Technical Trainee Program, launched in 1993, was intended to provide vocational training to interns from developing countries who work in factories and farms in Japan and thus contribute to the economic development of their home countries upon their return home with their counterparts. skills acquired in this country. But the program has been effectively criticized as a hedge for the supply of low-cost labor to business sectors that are increasingly struggling to find staff in the domestic market, a large number of cases of Abuse of trainees, such as unpaid wages and illegal overtime, was reported by the authorities. The program has been expanded over the years to respond to calls from businesses facing a labor shortage.

The proposal to revise the Immigration Control Act is an important policy change in that it creates two new residence statuses for foreign workers to address the labor shortage. artwork. The first category would be renewable for a period of up to five years and would require candidates that they possess a certain level of skills and experience in their fields. Workers in this category would normally not be allowed to bring family members into the country. The second category would be renewable indefinitely for workers with a valid employment contract. This category would require a higher level of skill than the first category and would allow workers to bring their spouses and children. Individuals who have completed at least three years of the technical internship program would be eligible for Tier 1 status without additional testing.

The government repeatedly denies that it is an immigration policy – and stresses that the proposed measure is intended to address a "shortage of manpower". extremely serious "in areas not yet specified. Nevertheless, the Government indicates that it does not intend to set a maximum number of people to accept under the new program. The government plans to accept some 40,000 foreign workers in the first year of the program, which would come into effect next April if the amendment was pbaded at the current session of the Diet.

The number of foreign workers coming to work in Japan under this new program is unclear, although it was reported earlier that the government expects more than 500,000 in several years. Competition will intensify among Asian economies – especially those facing demographic challenges similar to those of Japan – to attract good workers. For Japan to be chosen by foreign workers, the country must create a good environment in which to live and work. Ensuring wage and social security levels equal to those of their Japanese counterparts will be the minimum requirement, and various measures will be needed to support their life in that country, including language support. A lot of work remains to be done.

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