Photo/Illutration The Mie prefectural government office in Tsu (Asahi Shimbun file photo)

TSU—Mie Prefecture plans to review the hiring of foreign national prefectural staff, mainly in general administrative positions, citing concerns that highly confidential personal information could be leaked overseas, particularly to China. 

Mie Governor Katsuyuki Ichimi said he has been examining the issue since taking office in 2021.

A final decision will be made following a survey of 10,000 prefectural residents to be conducted from Jan. 26 to Feb. 16 next year.

The potential reversal stems from a policy enacted in fiscal 1999 to promote the social participation of foreign nationals.

At that time, the prefectural government abolished the nationality requirement in its staff recruitment examinations, excluding some job categories.

The change made it possible for foreign nationals to take the examinations for any role except those exercising public authority, such as licensing and tax collection, and managerial positions.

Currently, the nationality requirement is waived for 44 of 49 job categories, including roles in agriculture and public health.

The upcoming review will determine for which of these positions the requirement will be reinstated.

Since fiscal 2005, from which records exist, the prefecture has hired nine foreign national staffers, mainly in specialized professions such as medicine.

One is currently employed in a medical position, and officials said the staffer's employment will continue.

The primary impetus for the review is China's 2017 National Intelligence Law.

Enacted by the Chinese government, the law obligates Chinese companies and individuals to cooperate with national intelligence activities.

This led Mie officials to conclude there is a risk that residents' personal data and sensitive information about the agriculture sector could be leaked if certain positions are held by foreign nationals.

Officials said they also considered security concerns for the many dignitaries who visit the Ise Jingu shrine in the prefecture.

A senior prefectural official said, "China's National Intelligence Law conflicts with the confidentiality obligations of local public servants," and pointed out that the potential for the movements of dignitaries to be leaked overseas poses a national security problem.

Despite these security concerns, officials stressed that policies promoting coexistence with foreign residents will continue.

Mie Prefecture has a thriving manufacturing industry where many foreign workers are employed.

"Without foreign nationals, neither Mie nor Japan can function," a senior prefectural official said. "We will continue to advance coexistence policies."

Officials added that the fiscal 2026 budget may include enhanced support for foreigners to learn Japanese.

According to the prefecture, 12 of Japan’s 47 prefectures, including Mie, currently have no nationality requirement for personnel examinations that include general administrative positions.

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