In response to the shortage of drivers in the country, the Japanese government has added four new occupations to the list of industries eligible for visas for foreign skilled workers. Road and rail transport, forestry and timber sectors are now covered under the programme, which allows a stay of up to five years.
In an effort to alleviate a labor crisis, the Japanese government has enlarged the skilled worker visa program, allowing up to 820,000 foreign nationals to work in a variety of industries.
In order to reduce the driver shortage in the nation, the Japanese government has added four additional industries to its program for foreign skilled worker visas. The program now covers road and rail transportation, forestry, and the timber sector, with permits for stays of up to five years. Since the program's launch in 2019, this is its first extension.
Japan has a falling birthrate and shortages in the logistics and transportation sectors, which have exacerbated the country's need for foreign workers. Referred to as the "2024 problem," new restrictions that limit drivers' extra hours beginning in April are likely to make these shortages worse.
Under the skilled worker visa program, the government intends to admit up to 820,000 foreign nationals during the course of the next five fiscal years, starting in April.
The previous projection for the five years preceding the March-ended fiscal year 2023 is more than twice as high as this one.
Underscoring the objective of achieving an inclusive society, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi asked pertinent ministries to get ready for taking on foreign workers right away.
In order to make it easier for skilled people to be accepted into the newly added sectors, the government intends to modify pertinent rules, including those of the Justice Ministry, in response to public feedback on the proposed revisions.
The government also included operations in the manufacturing sector that are currently covered by the program, such as printing, iron and steel, and textiles.
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