Japan is ready to accept many more foreign workers. The automotive transportation, railways, forestry, and the timber industry — is speeding up preparations to welcome more foreign workers.

The number of foreign residents in Japan has reached record high of 3.3million. The foreigners now make up almost 3% of the total population while 97 % remain Japanese.  It’s expected the number will increase rapidly in the next a few years.

The 3 largest group of foreigner are Vietnam,China and the Philippines.The specified skilled worker residency status will welcome foreign workers in fields facing severe labor shortages. Twelve occupational fields have already been approved, from nursing care to construction, agriculture, and food services.

The Japanese government says we want to make Japan a country that foreign workers choose. But Japan is not Europe, they are not handing out the visas like candy. They check the criminal background and so on. Only those who passed the screening can get a visa and eventually they will get a permanent residency. Japan will stay safe. They only let in people who has special skills and can contribute to Japanese society and economy.

A lot of branch managers are non-Japanese in Osaka Japan.  The society will be more diversified.