News Japan expanding specified skilled worker visa

Each of the four industries had made requests to be added to the list. Trucking companies face overtime caps on drivers that take effect in April, which some worry could slow down shipping. Adding road transportation to the visa program would allow recipients to work as drivers for ride-hailing services, which Japan is allowing on a limited basis at certain times and areas where there are taxi shortages. The government is preparing to offer tests for the necessary commercial driver's license in 20 languages. As of the end of November, Japan had 201,307 people with No. 1 skilled worker visas, which last up to five years, and 29 people with No. 2 visas that can be renewed indefinitely. When the program launched, the government set a cap of 345,000 recipients by spring 2024.

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As of the end of last year, 208,462 people were living in Japan under this visa status. The expected number of incoming workers over the next five years is 173,000 for industrial manufacturing, which is the largest group, followed by 139,000 for food and beverage manufacturing, 135,000 for nursing care, 80,000 for construction and 78,000 for agriculture.

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