Tokyo, September 18, 2025 – Japan’s government is planning a new rule that requires foreign workers in eight specific industries to stay in their jobs for at least two years before they can change workplaces. This is part of a new training and employment program set to replace the Technical Intern Training Program in April 2027.
The proposal was discussed at an expert panel meeting on September 17. The eight sectors with the two-year rule are nursing care, industrial goods manufacturing, construction, shipbuilding and marine industry, automobile maintenance, food and beverage production, food service, and resource recycling. The government says these industries need more time for workers to gain necessary skills. In the other nine sectors, such as agriculture, fisheries, forestry, and accommodations, workers can transfer after one year.
The new program aims to train foreign workers and encourage them to stay in Japan longer. Unlike the current Technical Intern Training Program, which does not allow job changes for three years, the new system will let workers switch jobs under certain conditions. For example, workers can leave earlier if they face issues like violence or harassment. In the eight sectors with the two-year rule, employers must review working conditions, such as offering pay raises, starting from the second year.
Some concerns have been raised about the two-year rule. Critics, including Keizai Doyukai (Japan Association of Corporate Executives), argue it may conflict with Japan’s labor laws, which allow contract employees to resign after one year. They worry this could discourage foreign workers from coming to Japan. The current intern program has faced criticism for trapping workers in poor conditions, leading some to leave illegally.
The government’s initial plan was to set a one-year employment period for all sectors to align with Japanese labor laws. However, the Liberal Democratic Party and small businesses in rural areas pushed for longer periods, fearing workers might move to urban areas too quickly. This led to the revised proposal with different rules for different sectors.
The Cabinet is expected to finalize the plan by the end of 2025 after further discussions.
Japan has relied on foreign workers to address labor shortages caused by its aging population and low birthrate. The Technical Intern Training Program, introduced in 1993, has been criticized for exploiting workers by limiting their rights, including the ability to change jobs. The new program aims to improve conditions and attract more foreign workers to industries like nursing care and construction, which face significant staffing shortages. According to the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, about 200,000 foreign workers were in the intern program as of 2024, with many from Vietnam, China, and the Philippines. The government hopes the new system will balance worker rights with the needs of businesses, especially in rural areas.
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