Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Thursday hinted he was willing to expand the scope of young Japanese-Brazilians eligible for preferential visa status to speed their emigration to labor-hungry Japan.

The possibility of loosening an immigration rule on so-called nikkei Brazilians and Peruvians of Japanese descent comes as the nation scrambles to alleviate an acute labor shortage linked to its dwindling population.

While addressing the Lower House Budget Committee, Abe made an assurance that he would "give positive thought" to a suggestion by the conservative opposition party Nippon Ishin no Kai to ease the immigration law to promote a greater nikkei influx.