Japan opens doors to skilled foreign workers under new visa system

Japan on Monday opened its doors to workers of nine Asian countries under a new visa system.
Bangladesh would not get the opportunity.
In December, Tokyo took the decision to allow Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam to send their skilled workers to Japan.
Japanese daily The Mainichi reported on Monday that Japan introduced the new visa system to bring in more foreign workers in a major shift in policy.
Traditionally, its strict immigration rules did not permit expatriates to work in Japan.
As hundreds of thousands of foreigners are expected to take up blue-collar and other types of jobs, a new immigration agency was established on Monday to oversee visa inspections and support the settlement process for such people, reported The Mainichi.
Foreigners with certain Japanese language and job skills can now apply for resident status called Specified Skilled Worker No. 1, which grants working rights in 14 sectors, such as construction, farming and nursing care, for up to a total of five years, says the report.
Proficient laborers in two sectors -- construction and shipbuilding -- can further extend their stay by earning the Specified Skilled Worker No. 2 status. It would allow the holders to bring in family members with no limit on the number of times they would be entitled to renew their visa.
The Japanese government expects up to 345,150 foreigners to acquire the No. 1 type visa over the next five years, with the largest number of 60,000 workers expected to be in the nursing care business, it says.
The first delivery of the visa could possibly be seen from mid-April to applicants who are already in Japan and seek to change their status, according to a senior Justice Ministry official, says the report.
The introduction of the system, based on the revised immigration control law enacted in December, represents a major change for Japan, which had limited the issuance of working visas to people with professional knowledge and high skills, such as doctors, lawyers and teachers.

News Courtesy: www.newagebd.net