The Japanese government has announced a significant relaxation in visa regulations aimed at enhancing employment opportunities for foreign students within the country. As reported by Kyodo News, the Immigration Services Agency of Japan revealed that the new measures would permit students graduating from state-designated technical schools to seek employment in fields beyond their majors.
Under the revised regulations, foreign students who have completed their studies at designated technical schools will now have the opportunity to work in sectors not directly related to their academic disciplines. This move is anticipated to increase the annual number of foreign students staying in Japan for work purposes by approximately 3,000 individuals, according to the agency’s projections.
Previously, many foreign students faced challenges finding suitable employment in Japan upon graduation, often compelled to return to their home countries due to limited job prospects aligning with their acquired skills or knowledge. However, with the expanded scope of permissible employment fields, these students are expected to have greater flexibility in securing job opportunities within Japan.
Moreover, the government has broadened the eligibility criteria for the “designated activities” visa, a residential status that allows foreign students to work in a broader range of sectors. Formerly exclusive to university and graduate school graduates, this visa category will now be accessible to students with advanced Japanese language proficiency and educational achievements equivalent to a bachelor’s degree, including graduates from four-year programs at designated technical schools.
A recent survey conducted by the Japan Student Services Organisation revealed that approximately 75 percent of foreign students enrolled in technical schools expressed a desire to pursue employment opportunities in Japan. These regulatory changes aim to align with this aspiration, facilitating smoother transitions from academia to the workforce for foreign students and addressing the evolving needs of Japan’s labor market.