The Japanese government has eased visa requirements in an effort to increase the number of foreign students who can work in Japan. This decision is a reaction to pleas from the academic and business groups. As stated by Kyodo News, graduates of state-designated technical schools will be allowed to pursue careers that are not always directly related to their majors, according to the Immigration Services Agency of Japan. Before this change, several international students who could not find jobs aligned with their acquired skills or knowledge had to return to their countries, even if they possessed certain technical and Japanese-language skills at technical schools. As the agency further revealed, state-designated technical schools will provide specialized programs along with practical training opportunities at corporations. Moreover, the Japanese government has expanded the eligibility criteria for foreign students to remain in Japan and work under the “designated activities” visa, which provides a wider range of employment opportunities. Previously, Japan issued these visas only for students who have graduated from universities or graduate schools. The visa can now be granted to students with advanced Japanese skills and educational achievements comparable to a bachelor’s degree, including graduates of four-year programs at designated technical schools.

Foreign Student Employment in Japan Expected to Grow by Almost 3,000 Annually

The agency said that due to this measure, the number of international students working in Japan is anticipated to increase by nearly 3,000 per year. Kyodo further reports that the recent measures follow a proposal by a government panel in April last year to facilitate job opportunities for international students in Japan.

75% of Foreign Students at Technical Schools in Japan Wanted to Work in the Country

A survey conducted by a Japan Student Services Organization in 2021 revealed that among 2,000 international students registered at technical schools in Japan, nearly 75 percent said they wanted to work within the country. Meanwhile, in 2022, the total number of international students in Japan, including education institutions and Japanese language schools, was nearly 231,200, according to Statista. Compared to 2022, this figure was higher in the preceding five years, with the peak number of international students recorded in 2019 at approximately 321,210.