Japan's Cabinet Approves Long-Term Work Visas for Foreign Workers

In a significant move, Japan's Cabinet has given its approval for the issuance of long-term work visas to foreign workers. This decision allows international workers to stay and work in Japan for an extended period, offering improved visa conditions and additional benefits. The Cabinet has also expanded the list of eligible sectors for the special visa program, targeting skilled blue-collar workers, in order to address the country's labor shortage. The proposed expansion is expected to be implemented in the fall, following public consultation, as part of Japan's broader strategy to attract and retain skilled foreign workers.
 

Japan's Cabinet takes this step to address the labor shortage and fulfill the need for skilled foreign workers. During a government meeting, Prime Minister Kishida emphasized the importance of making Japan an appealing destination for foreign workers, given the severe labor shortage the country is currently facing.

 

The specified skilled worker visa program currently comprises two categories: Type 1 and Type 2. The Type 2 visa offers enhanced residency conditions and is exclusively available to workers with higher skill levels compared to those eligible for the Type 1 visa. At present, the Type 1 visa applies to 12 industries, while the Type 2 visa is limited to shipbuilding and construction. However, the recent revision of the visa program brings the industries covered by the Type 2 visa in line with those included in the Type 1 category. The expanded sectors now encompass:

 

While the Type 1 visa imposes a five-year residency limit and does not allow family members to accompany the worker, the Type 2 visa offers an unlimited length of stay and the opportunity to bring family members. As of March, there were only 11 individuals holding the Type 2 visa, compared to over 154,800 individuals with the Type 1 visa. The low pass rate for technical exams, particularly for Japanese nationals (30%), and the potential return of Type 1 visa holders to their home countries present challenges for workers seeking the Type 2 visa.

 

Despite the potential low number of candidates, the Justice Ministry plans to conduct necessary exams for Type 2 visa applicants in each industry starting in the coming fall. To qualify for the Type 2 visa, workers must pass exams assessing technical skills and, in some industries, demonstrate Japanese-language proficiency. Additionally, they must have experience in a managerial or supervisory role, making the eligibility criteria more challenging. The ministry aims to hold exams two or more times per fiscal year, depending on the demand for the Type 2 visa.

 

The specified skills visas were established in 2019, and the documents of the first batch of Type 1 visa holders will expire from April next year, marking the start of fiscal year 2024. This expiration means that around 2,400 individuals could become eligible for the Type 2 status. However, due to the relatively low pass rate and the possibility of Type 1 visa holders returning to their home countries after their visas expire, the number of individuals seeking and securing the Type 2 visa may be limited.

 

In addition to the visa program expansion, the Justice Ministry is considering other measures to better retain foreign workers. These include abolishing and redesigning the controversial technical intern training program and granting permanent residency to fourth-generation foreign nationals of Japanese descent who fulfill Japanese language requirements.