By Editor in Chief
on Wed Dec 25 2024
summary
Conference Title: JICA and JP-MIRAI co-hosted symposium “What we should work on now for institutional reform of foreign human resources acceptance”.
Date: December 12, 2024
Place: International Conference Hall, JICA Ichigaya Bldg.
Main Participants
Speakers: Akihiko Tanaka, President, JICA; Shuji Maruyama, Director General, Immigration and Naturalization Service; Carlos Busquets, Vice President of Labor Affairs, Responsible Business Alliance (RBA) (video message)
Panelists: Ryusuke Yoshida, Team Leader, Factory Working Environment Improvement Team, Sustainability Department, Fast Retailing Co.
Commentators: Toshihiro Keke, Senior Advisor, JP-MIRAI, Shohei Sugita, International Cooperation Promotion Officer, JICA
Moderator: Kenichi Shishido, Special Assistant to the President, JICA / Director, JP-MIRAI
Background and Objectives
In order for Japan to become a country of choice for foreign human resources, the “Technical Intern Training System” is scheduled to be abolished and a new “Training and Employment System” is scheduled to start in 2027, with the objectives of (1) protecting the human rights of foreign nationals, (2) career development for foreign nationals, and (3) creating a safe, secure, and harmonious society. Efforts to improve the working and living environment for foreign workers are attracting more and more attention, and in particular, intensive efforts are expected to be intensified during the three years leading up to the revision of the system. The symposium was held to discuss what we should work on in the future with related parties and to widely disseminate the results to society.
Contents
A symposium entitled “What We Should Do Now Toward Reforming the System for Accepting Foreign Manpower” was held jointly with JP-MIRAI, a general incorporated association, at the JICA Ichigaya Building with a total of 168 participants (50 at the venue, 113 online, and 5 from 4 media companies). In addition to speeches by President Tanaka, Director Maruyama of the Immigration and Residency Management Agency, and a U.S. NGO, a panel discussion was held, in which private companies, industry associations, government ministries and agencies, and local government officials shared their respective perspectives on their efforts and issues. The importance of co-creation and collaboration among stakeholders was confirmed.
Overall view of the venue
Keynote speech by President Tanaka
Message from Mr. Maruyama, Director General of the Immigration and Naturalization Service
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