December 23, 2025 | 05:56 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Japanese government on Tuesday, December 23, 2025, said it is considering limiting the number of foreign workers accepted under its new training and employment system.
As reported by Kyodo and cited by Antara, Japan plans to accept around 426,000 foreign workers in the first two years after the program’s launch in 2027.
The policy review comes as Japan reassesses its broader approach toward foreign residents, including stricter measures against visa overstayers. The move follows instructions from Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi amid growing public concern over the rising number of foreign nationals in the country.
Despite a persistent labor shortage caused by an aging population, Japan is preparing to replace its Technical Intern Training Program, which has long been criticized for enabling cheap labor practices and human rights violations.
The government plans to introduce a new framework known as the Skill Development Job program.
Under the new system, foreign workers will be encouraged to transition to Special Skilled Worker status, which allows them to remain in Japan for a longer period after completing three years of work.
Intake Targets and Possible Reductions
According to a draft proposal presented to a panel of experts on Tuesday, Japan intends to accept up to around 805,000 workers under the special skilled worker scheme through March 2029. This figure is slightly lower than the 820,000 target set in March 2024.
The government has indicated that the intake could be reduced further if productivity increases through greater use of digital technology and other efficiency measures.
The draft also outlines that a combined total of 1.23 million foreign workers will be accepted under both the existing and newly introduced programs. Prime Minister Takaichi’s Cabinet is expected to approve the plan in January after further policy considerations.
The new training program will cover 17 employment fields, including agriculture and construction, fewer than the 19 sectors currently included under the special skilled worker scheme.
Who Will Be Affected
Japan offers two categories of special skilled worker visas. The first allows a stay of up to five years, while the second permits indefinite extensions, effectively providing a pathway to permanent residency. The first category applies to jobs requiring “considerable knowledge or experience,” while the second covers more advanced specialized skills.
In principle, the planned restrictions will apply only to foreign nationals holding Special Skilled Worker I status.
As of the end of June, about 333,000 individuals held Special Skilled Worker I status, while approximately 449,000 technical trainees were employed in Japan, according to the Immigration Services Agency.
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