Justice Minister Yoko Kamikawa said the ministry will simplify the procedures for foreigners to apply for work visas in Japan, so the process can be conducted online.
Speaking to reporters Monday after visiting the Tokyo Regional Immigration Bureau in Minato Ward, Tokyo, Kamikawa said these steps would be taken by the end of this fiscal year.
Under the current procedures for visa status, foreigners are required to visit an immigration bureau office in person. Under the plan to streamline the procedures, companies and organizations that manage foreign workers will be able to apply for visas on employees' behalf via the internet.
The ministry took into account the crowded state of immigration bureaus nationwide. There were about 400,000 applications submitted in 2017 at the Tokyo Regional Immigration Bureau alone.
The government's Basic Policy on Economic and Fiscal Management Reform, which was decided at a Cabinet meeting on June 15, includes the idea that the Justice Ministry will take the initiative to improve the environment to accept foreigners.
Read more from The Japan News at https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/
