As Japan prepares to open its doors wider to foreign blue-collar workers from April, the Justice Ministry on Friday started soliciting public comment on drafts of ordinances and regulations that will set conditions for employing migrant workers.

One of the proposed ordinances would set qualifying conditions for Japan-based companies seeking to hire foreign nationals. For example, an employer would be obliged to pay wages equal to or higher than those paid to Japanese workers performing the same job.

The employer would also be required to grant leave if a worker wishes to temporarily return home.