The Japanese government will seek bilateral agreements on foreign workers with eight Asian countries, including Vietnam, the Philippines and Indonesia, under a new type of visa to be introduced in April.
Japan expects more overseas workers to arrive under the new “special skills” visa status, following revisions to the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act.
Cambodia, China, Thailand and Myanmar will also be targeted. Talks with another country are ongoing.
The deals will not require Diet ratification. That is a result of requests from some countries, including Vietnam, to protect the rights of their citizens while they are employed in Japan. Tokyo also wants to ascertain the identities and living conditions of foreign workers and improve working environments.
Source: Nikkei Inc.
