Regarding the ``specified skills'' category for accepting foreign workers in fields with labor shortages, the government presented a proposal to the Liberal Democratic Party to add four fields, including automobile transportation and railways, and it was approved.
The government plans to make a decision at a cabinet meeting next week.
"Specified Skilled Worker No. 1" is a status of residence granted to foreigners who are recognized as having specialized skills and can stay for up to five years, and is applicable in 12 fields such as nursing care, construction, and agriculture.
The government presented a proposal to a joint meeting of the Liberal Democratic Party to add four new fields: automobile transportation, railways, forestry, and lumber, citing a serious labor shortage and strong demand for foreign human resources, and the proposal was approved.
In the automobile transportation industry, the candidates are expected to work as bus and taxi drivers, and in the railway industry, they are expected to work as drivers and conductors, and as communication and safety management skills are required, there are requirements such as higher Japanese language skills than in other fields. is.
In addition, we expect to accept up to 820,000 foreigners in 16 fields, including 4 newly added fields, over the five-year period starting from April this year.
If the Komeito Party also approves the proposal, the government plans to make a decision at a Cabinet meeting as early as next week.