The Japanese government has expanded the skilled worker visa program to address labour shortages by admitting up to 820,000 foreigners in various sectors.

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.

Japan’s demand for foreign labour has increased due to factors such as its declining birth-rate and shortages in transportation and logistics industries. These shortages are expected to worsen with the implementation of new regulations limiting overtime hours for drivers starting in April, referred to as the “2024 problem.”

The government aims to admit up to 820,000 foreigners under the skilled worker visa program over the next five fiscal years, beginning in April. This number is more than double the previous estimate for the five years leading up to fiscal 2023, which ended in March.

Following public feedback on the proposed reforms, the government plans to amend relevant regulations, including those of the Justice Ministry, to facilitate the acceptance of skilled workers in the newly added sectors.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi urged relevant ministers to prepare for the timely acceptance of foreign workers and strive towards creating an inclusive society.

Under the expansion, skilled foreigners will be eligible for roles such as drivers of buses, taxis, and trucks in the road transportation sector, provided they are employed by companies certified by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism. Proficiency in Japanese at the N3 level, one of the Japanese Language Proficiency Test’s five levels, is required for roles involving communication with passengers.

In the railway sector, skilled workers can engage in various roles including manufacturing train cars, maintaining tracks, and serving as drivers, conductors, or station staff.

Additionally, operations related to textiles, iron and steel, and printing have been included in the manufacturing industry, which was already covered under the program.

Foreigners holding the No. 1 visa must demonstrate professional skills and Japanese language proficiency, while the No. 2 visa allows for indefinite renewals, leading to the possibility of permanent residency and the ability to bring family members to Japan. 

According to data from the Immigration Services Agency of Japan, as of December 2023, there were approximately 208,000 workers in the country under the No. 1 visa category and 37 under the No. 2 visa category.