The Economy, Trade and Industry Ministry plans to assist small and midsize manufacturers in the recruitment of foreign workers, as the range of eligible foreigners able to work in Japan will be expanded starting in April 2019 at the earliest.
By making it easier for firms to hire foreigners, the ministry aims to help small and midsize companies suffering from labor shortages secure personnel.
The ministry will encourage small and midsize companies that lack know-how of hiring foreigners to attend lectures organized by business associations and receive training from visiting officials. Through such measures, the companies can learn the procedures and tasks necessary for the recruitment of foreign employees.
Also, the ministry will provide advice to foreigners employed by such small and midsize companies about living in Japan and the required administrative procedures.
Actual guidance and advice will be provided by registered entities recognized by the Justice Ministry, such as local business associations, local governments and certified social insurance labor consultants.
To subsidize the costs of the support organizations, the economy ministry will seek funds in its initial request in the fiscal 2019 budget.
According to a survey conducted by the economy ministry in 2017, 94 percent of small and midsize companies replied that labor shortages were challenges to be tackled, and 32 percent of them said that the shortage had negatively affected their business activities.
The shortage has been increasingly felt in construction machinery, machinery parts and metal stamping companies -- sectors that are believed to be enthusiastic about an increase in the number of foreign employees eligible to join the workforce.
The government plans to introduce a new status of residence for foreigners in April 2019.
Currently, foreign work trainees are allowed to stay in Japan for up to five years. If the period of the new status of residence is extended to foreign trainees, they will be allowed to stay in Japan for a total of 10 years.
The government had planned to provide the new status of residence to foreign workers in five business sectors: agriculture, nursing care, construction, shipbuilding and accommodation service.
It appears likely that the range will be also expanded to include some sectors in the manufacturing industry.
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