The Japanese government has expanded its foreign skilled worker visa program, aiming to address the nation's shortage of drivers by granting more individuals access to extended stays of up to five years. As reported by the Japanese news agency Kyodo News, this move includes the addition of four new industries to the program, namely road and railway transportation, forestry, and timber sectors. This marks the first expansion of the visa program since its inception in 2019.
A number of reasons, including Japan's dropping birthrate and shortages in the logistics and transportation sectors, have led to an increase in the country's need for foreign labor. The "2024 problem," which refers to new restrictions that will limit drivers' extra hours beginning in April, is projected to make these shortages worse.
Under the skilled worker visa program, the government hopes to accept up to 820,000 foreign nationals over the course of the next five fiscal years, starting in April. The prior projection for the five years before the March-ended fiscal year 2023 is more than twice as high as this one.
The government intends to change pertinent rules, particularly those of the Justice Ministry, in response to public comments on the proposed reforms. This would make it easier for competent people to be accepted in the recently added industries.
Yoshimasa Hayashi, the chief cabinet secretary, urged the appropriate ministries to work toward establishing an inclusive society and to get ready for the prompt admission of foreign workers.
As long as they work for organizations approved by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport, and Tourism, qualified foreign nationals will be able to fill positions in the road transportation industry such as truck, bus, and taxi drivers. For positions requiring contact with passengers, one must be proficient in Japanese at the N3 level, one of the five levels of the Japanese Language Proficiency Test.
Skilled individuals can operate in a variety of capacities in the railway industry, such as building train carriages, maintaining railroad lines, and acting as conductors, drivers, or station personnel.
In addition, the industrial sector—which was previously included in the program—now includes enterprises linked to printing, iron and steel, and textiles.
Whereas holders of the No. 2 visa are eligible for unlimited renewals, which can lead to permanent residency and the right to bring family members to Japan, holders of the No. 1 visa are required to demonstrate professional abilities and competence in the Japanese language.
As of December 2023, there were over 208,000 workers in the nation with a No. 1 visa and 37 with a No. 2 visa, according to data from the Immigration Services Agency of Japan.