Japan considers adding security and aviation to foreign worker programs

Japan is exploring the expansion of its foreign worker programs to address labor shortages in the security and aviation sectors. The National Police Agency (NPA) announced it will establish an expert panel to discuss including the security sector in the Employment for Skill Development Program, which is set to replace the technical intern training program in April 2027. The panel will evaluate worker quotas, specific permissible tasks, and required Japanese language proficiency.

Simultaneously, the Immigration Services Agency is considering adding airport ground handling to the same new program. This move would involve shifting approximately 300 workers from the Specified Skilled Worker program to the new system, rather than increasing the total projected intake of 1.23 million workers. The government estimates the aviation sector requires 4,900 foreign workers in total.

Additionally, officials noted a suspension of Certificates of Eligibility for Specified Skilled Worker applicants in the food-service sector after numbers approached a 50,000-person cap. Approximately 8,500 applications filed prior to the suspension remain under review.