When it comes to electric, electronic and information industries, the Land of the Rising Sun is one of the highly commended countries. Japanese based companies and electronic establishments are known for their utmost professionalism, efficiency and high quality of work output production. In this regard, a lot of foreign nationals from various countries abroad are looking forward to work and learn from the best electronic firms in the country.
These foreigners who aspire to obtain important technical knowhow and valuable knowledge in relation to electric, electronic and information industries are allowed to enter Japan as foreign interns based on the Technical Internship Training Program which was established in order to give aid or help third world countries by imparting to their workers the necessary skills that are important to boost the performance in a particular sector of the economy.
Most of these foreign technical interns have come to love Japan and the working environment in Japanese companies particularly in the electric, electronic and information industries. However, in the past it was highly difficult for them to acquire a working visa in order to extend their stay in the country after the expiration of the training program. They are expected to go back to their country of origin in order to impart the technical skills and knowledge they acquired while working in Japan.
This is no longer the case after the enactment of the New Immigration Control Act last April 1, 2019. Since Japan is currently suffering from chronic labor shortage as a result of its aging population, low birth rate and vast decline in inward migration, the Japanese government through its National Diet amended its immigration policies that used to provide stringent requirements for foreign nationals including former technical trainees who hopes to work and reside in the country on a permanent basis.
Based on latest immigration policy of Japan, a new visa category was created which is known as Specified Skills Worker Visa. Former technical trainees may work in Japan for another five years with the Specified Skilled Worker Visa without the need of taking the industry specific exam.
Reference: Specified Skilled Visa
