Japan has decided to broaden its foreign worker visa programme. As per this new and expanded programme, the country will welcome more than 8,20,000 skilled foreign workers in the next five fiscal years. Reportedly, this move is to address Japan’s shortage of skilled workers in the transportation and logistics sectors.
Japan Set To Welcome 8,20,000 Foreigners With Expanded Visa Policy
For the first time since its establishment in 2019, Japan will expand its foreign worker visa programme. As per Japanese news agency Kyodo News, this will grant more foreign individuals access to stay in Japan for up to five years. The country is facing a shortage of drivers in the transportation sector and is hopeful this expansion will help them fulfil this shortage.
There are several factors that have led to Japan broadening its foreign visa policy. To begin with, the country’s declining birthrate. This has led them to invite foreign workers to make sure this doesn’t affect their working conditions in the future. Furthermore, their new regulations to limit overtime hours for drivers starting April 2024 are also an additional issue faced by the nation. Keeping all this in mind, the Japanese government has decided to admit up to 820,000 foreigners under the skilled worker visa programme. These numbers will be achieved over the next five fiscal years, starting this month.
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Why Japan Needed To Expand Their Foreign Worker Visa Programme?
As per Kyodo News, the expanded foreign work visa programme is for inviting skilled workers for road and railway transportation, forestry, and timber sectors. Foreigners will be eligible for roles such as drivers of buses, taxis, and trucks in the road transportation sector. This is only applicable to companies certified by the Japanese Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism.
Coming to the railway sector, skilled workers are required in domains like manufacturing train cars and maintaining tracks. Furthermore, Japan also needs train drivers, conductors, and station staff for their railway sector.
One of the basic requirements to qualify for this visa is proficiency in Japanese at the N3 level. This is one of the Japanese Language Proficiency Tests and has five levels. This is mandatory so that the foreigner can communicate with passengers with ease.
What are your thoughts on this visa policy expansion by Japan? Let us know in the comments!
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