Updated: 23 Apr 2022. This page has the following sections:
Foreign workers in Japan hit record in 2020 despite COVID-19 Asahi Shimbun, 20 Jan 2021.
Foreign workers hit hard by pandemic despite record number The article looks at the impact of the pandemic on the employment of foreign workers, and tells the story of Raquel Garcia, a Filipino worker at a Sharp Corporation factory who lost her job. It also summarises the different categories and numbers of foreign workers in Japan. Japan Times, 5 Feb 2021.
Foreign workers feel the pain of ‘corona job cuts’ in Japan This article looks at the stories of Rennan Yamashita form Brazil who lost his job 9 or ten times and Kaoru Nakano, a Japanese-Brazilian woman, who was also laid-off (lost her job). It explains that foreign workers are often laid off first because they are on short-term contracts and are easy to fire. Asahi Shimbun, 5 May 2020.
Pandemic kills the dreams of foreign hotel staff for new life This article looks at the situation of foreign students in Japan who were working in the hotels in Japan to make money to live on but have lost their jobs due to the pandemic. It tells the story of several such students. Asahi Shimbun, 11 Aug 2020.
Foreign workers in Japan seek help as pandemic worsens job situation Workers from foreign countries are seeing a tougher employment environment due to the pandemic, which had eliminated more than 50,000 jobs for them by the end of August. Business and Human Rights Resource Centre, 24 Sep 2020.
Pandemic Leads to Fewer Japanese Companies Planning to Recruit Foreign Workers In the uncertain climate surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, Japanese companies have become more cautious when it comes to plans to recruit international students. Nippon.com, 22 Feb 2021.
Labor-starved Japan welcomes return of foreign workers This article looks at the situation of businesses that rely on foreign workers, particularly on the Technical Internship Training Programme, caused by the restrictions on foreigners coming into Japan during the pandemic. Nikkei Asia, 26 Sep 2020.
Vietnamese find lifeline at temple in Nagoya after losing jobs This article explains the stories of Vietnamese people sheltering at Tokurinji temple in Nagoya. They lost their jobs on the Technical Internship Training Programme and were unable to return home to Vietnam because of corona restrictions on travel and entry to Japan. The article refers to experts who blame the situation on problems with the Technical Internship Training Programme itself. Asahi Shimbun, 11 May 2020.
Foreign students in Japan losing jobs, chances and hope in pandemic The COVID-19 pandemic has cut the income of foreign students in Japan, most of whom have relied on part-time jobs, such as working at convenience stores and restaurants, to make ends meet. Asahi Shimbun, 7 May 2020.
Foreign trainees a huge help, but do we have to help them, too? Foreign technical intern trainees are the lifeblood that keeps primary industries going in numerous rural communities, but many municipalities show little interest in doing anything to help the visiting workers feel at home. Asahi Shimbun, 2 Dec 2020.
JICA Embarks upon Support for Foreign Workers in Japan Many industries in Japan are no longer viable without foreign labor. With the rapid increase in workers entering the country under the technical intern trainee program, the Japan International Cooperation Agency has begun offering its support. On November 16, 2020, it initiated a new body, the Japan Platform for Migrant Workers towards Responsible and Inclusive Society (also known as JP Mirai), bringing together local governments, employers, NPOs, and others to address foreign labor issues. Nippon.com, 21 Dec 2020.
Japan's aid agency to launch support body for foreign workers The Japan International Cooperation Agency said Wednesday it will launch an organization next month to provide comprehensive support for foreign workers in Japan to improve their working and living environments. The body, called the Japan Platform for Migrant Workers toward Responsible and Inclusive Society, will seek to make Japan a more attractive choice for foreigners amid the country's acute labor shortage by strengthening communication, proposing initiatives for reform, and conveying information within Japan and abroad. Kyodo. 28 Oct 2020.
Young Vietnamese face hardship in Japan The number of Vietnamese people living in Japan has trebled over the past five years. The figure now stands at over 300 thousand. 74 percent are students and technical intern trainees who come to the country to acquire advanced skills to take home. This article looks at the problems these foreign workers face. NHK World, 9 May 2019.
日本における外国人労働者問題 日本で働く外国人労働者は年々増加しており、日本人が国内で外国人と関わる頻度も多くなってきている。そこで、外国人労働者と彼らの抱える問題がどのようなものなのか・実際に企業と労働者及び地域住民と労働者にわけて存在する問題について・最後にそれぞれの問題に対して今後どのようなアプローチが必要なのか、についてまとめていきたい, 早稲田大学文化構想学部現代人間論系岡部ゼミ卒業研究ー長谷川拓哉
外国人労働者「100万人突破」で日本が直面する「移民問題」 日本での外国人労働者のが１００万人を突破した現状について、永住者や留学生、技能実習生など身分別の滞在資格から見た現状について, フォーサイト-新潮社ニュースマガジン
As foreign workers disappear, Japan puts in measures to improve working conditions This article examines the exploitation and harsh working conditions of foreign workers on the technical internship training programme in Japan, and discusses whether the action being taken by the government to solve these problems will be effective or not. NHK World, 15 Jan, 2020.
平成２９年末現在における在留外国人数について（確定値）Latest data - for 2017 - on foreign residents in Japan (by nationality, visa type, and place of residence in Japan, etc). And a pdf file here with more information in charts and graphs that shows 10 year trends 2008-2017. Ministry of Justice.
第５次出入国管理基本計画（本文) / Basic Plan for Immigration Control (5th Edition) in Japanese and English. This report has useful data on foreign residents, 'illegal'/undocumented foreigners, asylum seekers and refugees and technical interns, as well as explanation of the Japanese Government's polices in these areas. Ministry of Justice, Sep, 2015.
Migrant Integration Policy Index for Japan 2014 includes information on labour market mobility, family reunion, education, health, political participation, permanent residence, access to nationality, and anti-discrimination - scroll to the Policies-Summary section and click on the icons there.
Japan: Migrants in Agriculture, IT, Health An overview of the situation. Migration News, April 2012, Volume 19, Number 2
Demographics of Japan A Wikipedia article that includes information on both minority groups of Japanese nationality and foreign residents as well as issues such as the finger printing of foreigners, treatment of undocumented ('illegal') migrants, and (in the section on language) nationality and foreigners taking Japanese citizenship
'Multicultural Japan' remains a pipe dream: Ideology, policies, people not ready for major influx of foreigners, says Chris Burgess This article criticizes the idea that Japan is a multicultural society, arguing that ideas about immigrants in Japan, policies on multiculturalism, and the numbers of foreigners in Japan all mean Japan is not multicultural. A longer, more academic version of this article is: 'Multicultural Japan? Discourse and the ‘Myth’ of Homogeneity'
Tanaka Iki from NPO法人青少年自立援助センター- articles about diversity in Japan, mainly focused on foreign labour and children with foreign roots.
Japan failing to support young Brazilians Stories of young Brazilians in Izumo City, Shimano. NHK World, 29 Feb 2020.
「日本人」とは何か？「ハーフ」たちの目に映る日本社会と人種差別の実際 – 4 long stories about being “Hafu” in Japan. 『ニッポン複雑紀行』27 Jun 2018.
孤立する技能実習生（1）”奴隷労働”でも「相談先ない」、岐阜縫製のベトナム人女性が相談できない理由 - A story about female technical trainees from Vietnam, isolated in Japan. Yahoo, 6 Feb 2017.
Japan failing to support young Brazilians Stories of young Brazilians in Izumo City, Shimano. NHK World, 29 Feb 2020.
日本における外国人労働者問題 日本で働く外国人労働者は年々増加しており、日本人が国内で外国人と関わる頻度も多くなってきている。そこで、外国人労働者と彼らの抱える問題がどのようなものなのか・実際に企業と労働者及び地域住民と労働者にわけて存在する問題について・最後にそれぞれの問題に対して今後どのようなアプローチが必要なのか、についてまとめていきたい, 早稲田大学文化構想学部現代人間論系岡部ゼミ卒業研究ー長谷川拓哉
外国人労働者「100万人突破」で日本が直面する「移民問題」 日本での外国人労働者のが１００万人を突破した現状について、永住者や留学生、技能実習生など身分別の滞在資格から見た現状について, フォーサイト-新潮社ニュースマガジン
夢破れる外国人労働者たち Article about the situation of foreign workers in Japan, focused on Vietnamese workers, including stories of why they came to Japan and some interviews.) NHK, 20 Sep 2019.
No love for foreign trainees? Backstories about technical trainees in Japan, including how their personal freedom is limited. NHK World, 27 Mar 2019.
外国人が日本に滞在するためのビザの種類について 外国人が日本に滞在するためには、在留資格（ビザ）をもっていることが必要です。在留資格は日本では現在27種類あり、必ずどれか１つの在留資格を持っていなければなりません。このようなルールは出入国管理および難民認定法（入管法）で定められています。このサイトでは外国人が日本に滞在するためのビザの種類について紹介します, 外国人会社設立.com
外国人労働者を巡る最近の動向〜高度外国人材の活用促進のために〜 外国人労働者の現場・外国人労働者の受け入れに対する日本国の基本的な考え方など最近の動向・留学生の雇用政策について, 厚生労働省職業安定局, 27 Jun, 2017
Japan Limited Immigration; Now It’s Short of Workers This a long article that looks at the reality of use as manual labourers, exploitation and under payment for trainees on the technical training internship programme and also at how this programme, as well students, asylum seekers and South Americans of Japanese ancestry are being used as foreign migrant labour in Japan even though Japan doesn't officially accept unskilled foreign migrants. New York Times, 10 Feb 2017.
Foreign workers in Japan 'exploited as cheap labour’ Many firms reported to be abusing intern scheme to fill jobs shunned by Japanese The article tells the story of a Chinese trainee, Tang Xili, and explains how the internship training programme is used by Japanese companies to find cheap foreign labour to do jobs that they can't get Japanese workers for. Straits Times, 24 Feb 2016.
As Its Population Ages, Japan Quietly Turns to Immigration This article addresses the contradiction between the public policy of the government which focuses on meeting Japan's labour shortages by increasing the participation of women and claims immigration is not needed and the elderly in the workforce on the one hand and the reality that it's policies are encouraging the use of foreign labour and that the numbers of foreign workers are increasing on the other hand. It looks at the history of Japanese immigration policy, immigration today and future trends. Migration Policy Institute, 28 Mar 2017.
Can Japan survive without immigrants? This article looks at claims that although Japan officially has no immigration or immigration policy it actually has a policy of 'back door' immigration that encourages trainees, students and asylum seekers to do unskilled work, often 'illegally' or without a work visa. It focuses on a demolition company in Saitama, run by foreing permanent resident that gives work to asylum seekrs as well as people of Japanese nationality. CNN, 2 Aug 2017
Japan’s Immigration Reluctance: Despite its demographic crisis, Japan isn’t interested in relaxing its immigration controls. An article that looks at the continuing reluctance of Japan to acceptance more immigration and explains these in terms of attitudes towards migrants in Japan. The Diplomat, 15 Sep 2015.
Immigrants or Temporary Workers? A Visionary Call for a “Japanese-style Immigration Nation” 移民か、短期労働者か−−日本型移民国家への呼びかけ An article by Lawrence Repeta, that explains the eights key parts of the plan for making Japan an 'immigration society' proposed by Sakanaka Hidenori, the founder of the Japan Immigration Policy Institute. An introduction by Glenda Roberts gives some background information about different plans to increase immigration in Japan recently. The Asia-Pacific Journal, 48-3-10, November 29, 2010.
Japan and the immigration issue A debate about immigration in Japan between Barry Brophy who argues that Japan is not ready or willing to accept an immigrant influx and Arudou Debito who argues that more migration to Japan is inevitable, so we should start getting used to the idea.
Foreigners to get a shot at providing home care The government will expand the role of foreigners in the Japanese nursing care industry, allowing them to work for providers of home services. Nikkei Asian Review, 20 Feb 2016
日本は高度な能力を持つ移民にとって魅力的？ 政府は「超高度外国人材」に対して永住権の取得に必要な在留期間を現在の5年から最短で1年に縮める検討を始めたと言う。 しかし、この在留期間の要件緩和で直ちに日本に多くの高度外国人材が押し寄せるかというと、残念ながらそう簡単には行かないだろう, HUFFPOST, Dec 19,2016,
出稼ぎ目的の「偽装留学生」を黙認 外国人労働の歪んだ実態 都市圏のコンビニでは店員の多くが外国人だ。彼らは「留学生」として来日している。だが来日の目的はあくまで「出稼ぎ」で、「留学」は建前にすぎない。なぜそんなことが可能なのだろうか, Livedoor News, Feb 5, 2018,
Japan's Treatment Of Foreign Workers Criticized This story, which you can read and listen to, looks at the treatment of Japanese-Brazilian workers in Toyota City and Chinese trainees and interns, NPR (National Public Radio). May 12, 2009.
The New Japanese Worker is Chinese Although tension between Japan and China has risen recently, there are more and more Chinese workers in Japan these days. This article lookks at the reaosns for ths increase and the situation of Chinese workers, mainly students who have jobs and people on the industrial training scheme. New York Times, Nov 14, 2012.
The Chinese residents who call Japan home This article looks at Chinese 'trainees', working in agriculture in Japan and at the experience of Leena, a Chinese model who came to Japan when she was 10 years old. BBC News, 13 Aug 2013.
The New Chinese Immigration to Japan: Between mobility and integration By Hélène Le Bail, China Perspectives, 2005. This article compares oldcomer and newcomer Chinese immigration to Japan and focuses on the latter, looking in particular at networks of student migration, at transnational entrepreneurs and at expatriates, and discussing what implications these new types of immigration have for issues of citizenship and naturalisation.
Career paths The number of foreign students intending to stay and work in Japan after graduation increases, and Japanese companies are starting to pay more attention to foreign students. This column from the Japan Times introduces Japan's leading companies and companies that actively employ foreigners, and their thoughts about foreign student employment. It includes interviews with managers at the following companies:
Foreign Residents in Kagawa: The Current Situation This webpage from Kagawa prefectural Government reports on changes in the numbers, nationality and status of foreign residents in Kagawa between 1995 and 2005, as well as on foreign residents views of policies towards them in Kagawa.
Assistant language teachers in trying times An article about the problems faced by foreign ALTs (Assistant language Teachers) in Japan. 5 Jan 2008.
Treatment of Japan's International Residents: Problems and Solutions for a 21st-Century Japan By Arudou Debito. Looks at societal, legal, and economic and political barriers towards Japan's international residents (including representations of them as criminals) and makes some proposals for improving the treatment of foreign residents. From debito.org, 2006.
Seeking a Better Society for Children of Multicultural Backgrounds An issue of of Takarabako, that looks "at the ways in which efforts are being made by schools, citizens, and government to resolve the problems facing children of multicultural backgrounds", in Okubo (Shinjuku, Tokyo), Nagata Ward, Osaka, and Ota City, Gunma.
Girl chooses Japan over parents A teenager in Japan whose parents are being deported to the Philippines has decided to stay in Tokyo with her aunt. After the family lost a three-year battle to remain in Japan, Noriko Calderon, 13, had to choose whether to stay in Japan or go with her parents. BBC News, 14 April 2009.
Islam in the Land of the Rising Sun "In a series of special programmes, Al Jazeera follows Muslims from around the world as they embark on the Hajj pilgrimage. The road to Hajj in the Land of the Rising Sun begins with the little known fact that there are ethnic Japanese Muslims..." Al Jazeera, 12 Nov 2010.
Foreign overstayers protest for special residency permits in Tokyo This short article reports on "a campaign to inform the Japanese of the 67,000 visa overstayers in the country and how much they have already been integrated into society." 34 foreigners, many who have lived in Japan for decades and have families here, are asking the government not to deport them." Japan Daily Press, 20 Nov, 2012.
Opinion split over giving permanent foreign residents local voting rights This article on the arguments for and against giving voting rights to foreign permanent residents in local elections focuses mainly on Korean permanent residents and connects this issue with the uqestion of dual nationality. Mainichi Daily News, 24th Nov, 2009.
Japan Platform for Migrant Workers Towards Responsible and Inclusive Society This is an organization formed in November 2020 by the Japan International Cooperation Agency together with businesses and local government with the aim of protecting the rights of foreign workers and improving their working and living conditions to make Japan a more attractive destination for migrant labour.
Foreign Residents Support Center / 外国人在留支援センター A support service started in Tokyo in 2020 that brings together different organisations and agencies providing support and information for and about the employment of foreign workers
Tokyo Employment Service Center for Foreigners This is a public employment office specializing in providing non-Japanese residents with help-wanted information and employment consultations as well as providing businesses with information on and assistance with employing non-Japanese nationals.
ILO-Tokyo The Japan office of ILO. Information about inter national labour standards, statistics and databases.
Zenkoku Ippan Tokyo General Union 全国一般東京ゼネラルユニオン Nearly all of Tokyo General Union’s members are foreign nationals most working in Tokyo, Kanagawa, Saitama, Chiba, Gunma and Tochigi Prefectures. Tozen is one of only three or four general unions in the Tokyo area which has a large number of foreign workers.
The General Union This is the branch of the national Union of General Workers for Western Japan. It represetnsa foreign workers including many Assistant Language Teachers working in Japanese schools and teachers in eikawa schools, as well as South American workers in Western Japan.
The General Union Tokai Nagoya Chubu Branch
The Fukuoka General Union This is a branch of the national Union of General Workers for workers of any nationality in Fukuoka prefecture. They represent many Assistant Language Teachers in this area.
BIMA CONC (Cooperation for OverseasNurses and Care Workers) Foundation helping people who want to come to Japan under EPA programme, nurses and care takers who came to Japan from Indonesia and Philippine, and Japanese people who accept them. They support them by teaching Japanese language, culture, and social system like tax and walfare.
Japan International Training Cooperation Organization (JITCO) JITCO is the official government organization that runs the international technical intern training programs.
Foreign trainees network Fukui （外国人研修生ネットワーク）
Advocacy Network for Foreign Trainees This organisation works for protecting human rights and requests improvement of the trainee system.Lawyers Network for Foreign Trainees / 外国人研修生問題弁護士連絡会
Solidarity Network with Migrants Japan (SMJ) Japanese here Organization works to protect migrants' rights, support their empowerment, and create a multi-ethnic and multi-cultural society in Japan.
JIPI - Japan Immigration Policy Institute An organization run by Sakanaka Hidenori, the former head of the Tokyo Immigration Bureau, who has become a leading supporter of immigration to Japan, believing that Japan would be a stronger, more economically-vibrant society if it had a more open and focused immigration policy.
Koryu Net Organization belonging the sector of social assistance, that gives assistance to the resident foreigners in Japan, offering varied information and services through the site and activities realized in the Japanese territory.
Center for Multicultural Information and Assistance We are a group which supports foreigners living in Japan. Founded shortly after the Great Hanshin Earthquake, we have been offering help and advice to the foreign community. Based on the experience we had after the quake, our activities include:Telephone counseling; Medical assistance; Support to the foreign media; Support for migrant children; Language exchange; Seminars and fieldwork.