By KAZUMICHI KUBOTA/ Staff Writer
June 14, 2024 at 18:07 JST
The Upper House passes a bill to create a new migrant labor system to replace the heavily criticized technical intern training program on June 14. (Takeshi Iwashita)
The Diet passed a bill on June 14 creating a new system allowing migrant workers to stay in Japan for longer periods, as a step toward addressing the nation's growing labor shortage.
The new training and employment system will replace the 30-year-old technical intern training program, which has come under fierce criticism for exploiting vulnerable workers.
The bill, which amends the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Law and related legislation, was approved by the Upper House. The revised law will take effect within three years.
Under the new system, workers can remain in Japan for three years. They can then apply for Type 1 specified skilled worker status, which extends their stay for a maximum of five additional years.
To apply for Type 1 status, workers need to meet certain skill and Japanese language proficiency requirements.
The new system grants workers eligibility for the same range of occupations as Type 1 status for the initial three years, streamlining the transition to the higher skilled worker category.
However, the new system maintains the existing restrictions on bringing family members to Japan and does not permit family reunification for the first eight years of a worker's stay in the nation.
Despite its stated goal of supporting developing nations by training their workers, the technical intern training program has faced long-standing criticism.
Critics argue that it functions primarily as a source of cheap, unskilled labor, with reports of widespread abuse and human right violations.
The new system will allow workers to change jobs within the same industry after one to two years of employment. This flexibility will empower them to leave low-paying positions with abusive employers.
The bill also includes controversial provisions to revoke permanent residency status for those who refuse to pay taxes or social insurance premiums.
This provision has sparked concerns about the potential impact on long-term foreign residents, including generations of ethnic Koreans and Chinese who hold permanent residency in Japan.
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