Over a third of brokers for Japan's new foreign worker scheme lack required Japanese teachers
A government survey found that about 36% of brokers for the upcoming Employment for Skill Development Program have not secured enough certified Japanese-language teachers or suitable candidates.
In a survey conducted from Oct. 5 to Oct. 7, the Immigration Services Agency queried supervising organizations about their readiness for the Employment for Skill Development Program, set to launch in April. Of the 348 brokers that responded, roughly 36% have not yet secured the minimum number of certified Japanese-language teachers or identified enough trainees. Only 14.6% confirmed they have met the teacher quota, 19.0% anticipate doing so, and 30.5% remain in coordination.
The new program, intended to replace the criticized technical intern training system, requires participants to achieve at least N5-level Japanese proficiency and allows limited job changes, with a pathway to Specified Skilled Worker status after three years. An agency official pledged collaboration with relevant ministries to resolve the staffing gap. The technical intern program has faced criticism for low wages and human-rights concerns.
Why it matters
Insufficient qualified teachers could delay the launch of Japan's reformed foreign-worker training system.
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