TOKYO: The Japanese government plans to set up a three-year transition period after the start of a new program that would replace the existing foreign technical intern system, officials told Jiji Press Saturday.

The new program, aimed at encouraging foreign trainees to acquire skills to be eligible for longer stay in Japan, is expected to begin in 2027. Until 2030, the new program and the current system will be operated in parallel, according to the officials.

The government plans to submit to the ongoing parliamentary session a bill to introduce the new program to train foreign workers. If it is enacted into law, it will come into effect within three years after its promulgation.

The existing foreign technical intern system started in 1993. As of the end of June 2023, there were about 358,000 foreign interns working under the system and a total of more than 65,000 supervising organizations and companies that accepted such trainees.

The government plans to allow foreign trainees accepted under the existing system to stay in Japan until their internship is completed, even after the new program is launched, due to concerns that the end of the current system may affect operations of businesses in rural areas and at smaller firms, where such trainees are essential labor force.
The government is expected to set the transition period at three years in view of the internship under the current system usually lasting three years.

During the transition period, foreign trainees accepted under the existing system will remain restricted from switching their employers, while the new program will allow such a change under certain conditions, the officials said.

JIJI Press