Japan's new foreign worker training program "Nurturing Employment" that provides more flexibility in changing jobs has raised concerns among business owners and regional governments about whether it's effective to alleviate labor shortage in the country.
Koki Tashiro, manager of TASHIRO Co., Ltd. in Kanagawa Prefecture, said that it worries him the most that the new program allows foreign employees to change their employers after one year of employment.
"Regarding the 'Nurturing Employment' program, to be honest, I haven't really saw noticeable benefits to companies yet. Allowing employees to go to work for another company after working in a company for one year may intensify competition for talents. For companies that rely to some extent on skilled interns, fierce competition for talents may force them to raise wages. In such cases, the increased labor costs could create pressure for business operation," said Tashiro.
As wage levels in different regions of Japan are quite different due to various geographical conditions and economic development levels, some regional governments are also concerned that trained foreign workers may frequently change jobs and seek employment in higher-paying areas like Tokyo under the new system.
In response to this, experts have provided their suggestions.
"One possible solution that can be considered is establishing a framework specific to each region. For example, measures like restrictions on changing jobs can be carried out," said Masaaki Shigehara, member of a council at General Affairs Department of Dai-ichi Life Group.
Now the Japanese government is considering making supplementary regulations, such as raising the minimum time limit to two years for some foreign laborers to change a job. Meanwhile, some regions with lower wage levels have begun to formulate preferential policies to attract talents.
Japan's new foreign worker program raises concerns among businesses, governments
