### Japan’s New Employment System for Immigrant Workers: A Shift from Intern Training to Skill Development
In a significant legislative shift, the Japanese Parliament has amended its employment laws to introduce a more holistic system aimed at skill development for foreign workers. This change, which will gradually replace the existing Technical Intern Training Program, is designed to enhance the experience and retention of immigrants, particularly those from countries like Vietnam.
### Financial Support for Incoming Workers
Ishii Chikahisa, First Secretary at the Japanese Embassy in Vietnam, highlighted an important aspect of this new system: shared travel costs. Under the revised legislation, the financial burden of traveling to Japan will now be split between host companies and workers. This change not only eases the initial financial pressure on workers but also reflects a commitment to supporting their transition into the Japanese workforce.
### Greater Job Flexibility
One of the most noteworthy updates within the new framework is the additional flexibility granted to workers regarding employment. Unlike the previous model, which often tied migrant workers to a single employer for three years, the new system allows eligible employees to change jobs. This provision can enhance job satisfaction and better match workers to positions that align with their skills and aspirations.
### Pathway to Specialized Skills and Residency
The revamped employment system also serves as a preparatory pathway for Japan’s “Specified Skilled Worker” program. This program offers opportunities for foreign labor to acquire specialized skills, which can lead to longer-term residency in Japan. Such a pathway not only benefits the individual workers but also addresses Japan’s ongoing labor shortages by ensuring that skilled workers are better prepared to fill essential roles in the economy.
### Wages and Working Conditions
While immediate wage increases under the new program may not be significant, Chikahisa notes that workers can expect enhancements over the previous Technical Intern Training Program’s conditions. This earlier program has faced criticism for offering only minimum wages without any bonuses or allowances and for severely restricting job mobility—essentially, it was seen as a means to exploit low-cost labor rather than genuinely support skill development.
### Expansion of Eligibility and Sectors
In another progressive development, the new system aims to broaden eligibility for foreign workers. By loosening restrictions and expanding the sectors available for employment, Japan is poised to attract a more diverse workforce. Starting December 2024, skill examinations will be introduced for two newly recognized fields, including food service, with food and beverage manufacturing exams following suit in February 2025.
### Acknowledgment of Vietnamese Workers
Chikahisa expressed gratitude towards Vietnamese youth for choosing Japan as a destination for personal and professional growth. The Vietnamese community in Japan has been growing steadily, with more than 600,000 individuals residing in the country by June 2024. This community is comprised mainly of workers and students, making it the second-largest foreign group in Japan. In a striking statistic, approximately 80,000 Vietnamese workers arrived in Japan in 2023 alone—an impressive number that underscores the strong demand for labor in Japan’s economy.
### Challenges of the Technical Intern Training Program
The Technical Intern Training Program, which began in 1992, has increasingly drawn scrutiny over the years. Critics argue that it has permitted the exploitation of foreign labor by effectively utilizing workers as a cheap labor source to fill Japan’s growing labor gaps, primarily through low-wage manual roles. Responding to these growing concerns, a council of experts proposed the program’s discontinuation in April 2023, indicating a broader recognition of its shortcomings.
### Leading Source of Foreign Labor
Currently, Vietnam leads the pack among the 15 nations sending technical interns to Japan, with over 200,000 participants in the program. Additionally, Vietnamese workers represent the largest proportion of individuals in the Specified Skilled Worker program, numbering around 110,600. This trend illustrates not only the strong appeal of Japan for Vietnamese citizens but also the critical role they play in Japan’s evolving labor landscape.
In summary, Japan’s shift in its employment policy for foreign workers marks a meaningful change toward skill development and immigrant retention, setting the stage for a more sustainable and equitable relationship between the country and its international workforce.