In a bid to address its severe labor shortage, Japan has made significant changes to its visa program, allowing skilled foreign workers to have longer stays in the country. The Japanese cabinet approved the removal of maximum residency limits, which now allows work visas to be renewed indefinitely in certain fields. The revised visa program is set to be rolled out in the latter part of the year, opening doors for a wider scope of skilled foreign workers.
However, despite these changes, Japan faces challenges in attracting foreign workers. The weakening yen and stiff competition from other Asian locations, particularly Taiwan and South Korea, pose as significant obstacles. These countries offer fewer visa requirements, making them attractive alternatives for workers seeking employment abroad.
Taiwan, in particular, has seen a surge in popularity as a work destination, especially among Vietnamese workers. From January to March this year, the number of Vietnamese workers going to Taiwan exceeded those coming to Japan. Taiwan’s lenient work policies, which do not require local language proficiency and allow employment for up to 12 years, are part of its allure.
“Japan’s dominance in this sector is waning,” said an employee of an organization assisting Vietnamese people in working abroad. “At this rate, we will be left behind.”
Japan’s visa revision now allows foreign workers under the Specified Skilled Worker No. 1 visa to upgrade to the No. 2 visa, provided they pass Japanese language and technical skills exams. Currently, this upgrade is only available to proficient laborers in the construction and shipbuilding sectors. This visa upgrade is attractive as it allows holders to bring in family members and has no limit on the number of times they can renew their visa.
As Japan makes strides in revising its visa program, the country must also navigate the challenges of remaining competitive in the global labor market. Only time will tell how effective these new measures will be in addressing Japan’s labor shortage.
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