The U.S. State Department on Thursday maintained its assessment of Japan's efforts toward the elimination of human trafficking at Tier 2 on its four-level scale, acknowledging some progress but also citing ongoing abuse of foreign workers.

Countries with poor human rights records, including China, Iran, Myanmar, North Korea, Russia, Syria and Venezuela, remained in Tier 3, the lowest level in the rating system, which also includes a Tier 2 Watch List.

According to the annual Trafficking in Persons Report, Japan was rated at Tier 2 for the second consecutive year after earning the highest classification of Tier 1 in 2018 and 2019.