The Japanese government has approved a plan to include more industries that are available for skilled workers, enabling foreigners to obtain permanent residency in the country.
According to local media, the number of industries that hire foreigners will increase from two to 11; thus, the government will have to start holding language and skill examinations for new applicants, VisaGuide.World reports.
“It is important to promote smooth acceptance of human resources. To address the severe labour shortage, Japan will expand the (visa’s) scope,” Prime Minister Fumio Kishida told a meeting of relevant ministers.
Presently, only proficient labourers in the construction industry and shipbuilding sectors can obtain the Specified Skilled Worker No. 2 visa, which can be renewed countless times and allows holders to bring their dependables, such as children and spouses.
The plan, which is still under revision, allows foreign workers to work in nine industries, such as fishery, agriculture as well as hotel sectors and that are holders of the Specified Skilled Worker No. 1 visas to apply for No. 2 visas if they manage to pass language and technical skills exams.
On the other hand, the No.1 visa allows workers to stay in Japan for up to five years and cannot be renewed. Since March, the number of overseas workers in Japan on the No.1 visa has reached 150,000 and No.2 only 11, as the Immigration Services Agency of Japan.
The current specified skilled workers system was introduced in 2019 and aimed to attract foreign workers in order to counteract the country’s severe labour shortage caused partially by the declining birth rate.
The Japanese government was cautious about expanding the number of industries that enabled skilled workers to obtain permanent residency as it allowed the holder to spend five years in the country.
People working as carers, meanwhile, will not be included in the planned change as a visa for foreigners who are certified in Japan exists already. The carer-specific visa can be renewed indefinitely and allows the worker to bring children and spouses into the country.
Companies were content about this change, with some of those pointing out that this is an advantage in terms of workforce.
“We’ll be able to recruit personnel at every location and focus on training them. We’ll be able to give them tasks that require proficiency, such as operator work,” said a Maruha Nichiro manager.
It is estimated that there are 1.8 million foreign workers in Japan – over twice as many as they were in 2013. The main countries of origin are Vietnam, Nepal, Indonesia, and Myanmar, while China is expected to become the largest source of employment.
The post Workers of More Sectors to Be Eligible for Japanese Skilled Worker Visa in a National Effort to Address Labour Shortage appeared first on VisaGuide.World.
