In response to calls from business and academic sectors, the Japanese government announced on Thursday a relaxation of visa regulations to expand the range of foreign students eligible to stay and work in Japan.
The Immigration Services Agency of Japan stated that the new policy will permit students who have completed their studies at state-designated technical schools to secure employment in fields not strictly related to their major areas of study.
According to Kyodo News, this initiative is anticipated to increase the number of foreign students remaining in Japan to work by approximately 3,000 annually. Previously, many foreign students had to return to their home countries after completing their studies, despite possessing technical and Japanese language skills, due to the difficulty of finding relevant employment.
Under the new regulations, state-designated technical schools will offer special programs that include practical training at companies, enhancing the employability of foreign students.
Moreover, the government has broadened the scope of the “designated activities” visa, which now encompasses students with high Japanese language proficiency and educational achievements equivalent to a bachelor’s degree. This includes those who have completed a four-year program at designated technical schools. Previously, this visa was only available to graduates of universities or graduate schools.
A survey by the Japan Student Services Organization in fiscal 2021 revealed that about 75 percent of the 2,000 foreign students enrolled at technical schools expressed a desire to work in Japan.
An official from the Immigration Services Agency commented, “We hope that students who have a certain degree of specialized skills and have deepened their understanding of Japan will work in the country.”
The new measures follow a proposal by a government panel in April of the previous year, advocating for easier employment opportunities for foreign students in Japan.
