NEWSWORTHY
Editorials Apr 6, 2019
A disturbing new report shows once again how badly the foreign trainee program needs major fixes.
National Mar 29, 2019
Probe reveals 759 cases of suspected abuse and 171 deaths of foreign trainees in Japan
by Magdalena Osumi
The Justice Ministry’s probe into the Technical Intern Training Program confirms growing concerns about a link between the trainees’ working conditions and their growing disappearances from companies.
National / Social Issues Mar 29, 2019
Vietnamese nun in Tokyo prays for compatriots who lost lives at work in Japan, fearing more to come
by Kwiyeon Ha and Linda Sieg
Rows of wooden mortuary tablets inscribed with names line an altar at a Buddhist temple in Tokyo — silent testimony to Vietnamese people who died after coming to Japan to work or study. "Whenever I am contacted about a death, I can speak only two ...
National Mar 26, 2019
Justice Ministry to accept online Japan visa renewals from July, but only by employers and agents
by Magdalena Osumi
The ministry will start by accepting online applications for visa renewals for employees including highly skilled professionals, university professors, and interns working under the technical trainee program.
National / Social Issues Mar 14, 2019
Japan warns firms not to fire pregnant foreign trainees, as interns fear impact on work status
The warning came ahead of the launch of a new visa program that will allow the entry of more workers to address serious labor shortages.
National Mar 5, 2019
During inspections last year, the Organization for Technical Intern Training found technical interns engaged in work outside the remit of their training programs, sources said.
National Feb 21, 2019
The move comes as the country struggles with a labor crunch in the face of an aging population and falling birthrate.
National Jan 31, 2019
Placement agencies may have their permits revoked or not be granted if associated brokers overseas collect deposits from workers.
National Jan 29, 2019
Chinese trainee arrested over abandoning baby tells police she feared deportation from Japan
A 22-year-old Chinese citizen in Japan under the government-sponsored technical training program was arrested Tuesday on suspicion of abandoning her newborn son at a residential compound near Tokyo last month for fear of being sent back home. The baby was not in a life-threatening condition ...
National Jan 25, 2019
Mitsubishi and Panasonic lose permits to hire foreign trainees after violations
by Magdalena Osumi
The Justice Ministry said the firms ordered workers to perform tasks other than those specified in their contracts, among other violations.
National Jan 23, 2019
First-time, short-term visitors to Japan hit record 27 million in 2018, making up 98% of arrivals
by Magdalena Osumi
The number of new, short-term visitors to Japan hit a record high of 27.05 million last year, according to data showing arrivals from overseas by their visa status released by the Justice Ministry for the first time. New visitors staying for 90 days or less ...