Bringing More Foreign Workers to Japan—Current Situation and Designing an Effective System（Mr. Ippei Torii, Secretary General, Specified Nonprofit Corporation Solidarity Network with Migrants Japan (SMJ)）

This fiscal year, the FPCJ will be hosting a series of briefings about bringing in foreign workers to Japan, inviting government officials, experts, and people directly involved to discuss the topic from a variety of angles.


According to the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, as of the end of October 2024 there were over 2.3 million foreign workers in Japan, a record high. With increasingly severe labor shortages throughout the country, foreign workers have become indispensable to Japan’s economy and society.

The Technical Intern Training Program, which began in 1993, was for many years criticized for human rights abuses and its disconnect from the reality of the situation. In June 2024, the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Law was revised and the Employment for Skill Development Program was established to replace the Technical Intern Training Program, beginning on April 1, 2027. People are watching to see if this new program will function effectively for both foreign workers and Japanese businesses.

The FPCJ has invited Mr. Ippei Torii, who for many years has been involved in activities to support the rights of foreign workers and listened to the voices of those directly affected. As co-representative director of the Solidarity Network with Migrants Japan, he will discuss the current situation of and issues facing foreign workers in Japan, his perspective on the Employment for Skill Development Program, and how future programs for bringing in foreign workers should be designed.


Please note that you cannot physically attend this briefing, as it will be a Zoom webinar.

Embassy representatives and FPCJ supporting members may also participate in the briefing as observers (admission free).

As in our standard press briefings, there will be a Q&A session at the end.
*In principle, questions will only be accepted from members of the foreign press.

Please send any questions for the briefer or topics you are interested in to cp@fpcjpn.or.jp by 12:00 on Monday, January 5.
As there will only be a limited amount of time to ask questions during the briefing, we will collect questions and provide them to the briefer in advance.

■How to Apply: Please refer to the email we sent.
*We will not be accepting applications by email.