With the issues on chronic labor shortage affecting various sectors in Japan, the government has opened more doors of opportunities for foreign nationals who are seeking for employment in the Land of the Rising Sun. In order to encourage more and more international workers, the Japanese government relaxed its immigration rules particularly in fourteen identified industries in which labor problems are said to be more severe.
To further address the social issue on aging population as a result of low birth weight and a decline in onward migration, Japan is now more accommodating to the concerns of the growing population of foreign immigrants in their country. As a matter fact, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in coordination with Kumamoto Prefecture will be initiating a program by 2020 to train young Japanese nationals to provide assistance to foreigners in Japan.
The said program includes Japanese volunteers who will be trained to give technical assistance in developing countries in order to help alleviate local economy as well as to facilitate the successful integration of foreign workers into the Japanese society. In a recent news interview, JICA revealed that they aspire to give aid to communities and prefectures in Japan that are suffering from a continuous decline in population.
As their way of promoting cultural diversity in Kumamoto prefecture, JICA will be sending some volunteers abroad who will be more exposed to foreign culture and way of life. On the other hand, the Prefectural University of Kumamoto will be hosting these returnees in its graduate programs. Meanwhile, the local government and various companies in Kumamoto will be providing internships to volunteers.
According to the deputy director of JICA’s Office of Media and Public Relation, Haruko Kase, “Former and current volunteers have a better understanding of the type of considerations necessary toward foreign workers to allow them to play an active role (in the community) and not feel isolated.”
Reference: JICA, Kumamoto tie up to facilitate hosting of foreign workers
