Japan Eases Restrictions, Welcomes Foreign Workers to Alleviate Labor Shortages

“Japanese Government Unveils Plans to Welcome 820,000 Foreign Workers in Transportation and Logistics Sectors by 2029 to Tackle Critical Labor Shortage”In response to the pressing labor shortage in transportation and logistics, the Japanese government has announced an ambitious initiative to attract up to 820,000 foreign workers over the next five years. This significant increase from previous estimates aims to address the imminent “2024 problem,” driven by new regulations limiting driver overtime hours and exacerbating existing shortages.To mitigate this challenge, the expanded program will enable skilled foreign workers to fill essential positions in bus, taxi, and truck driving. Notably, roles requiring significant passenger interaction, such as bus and taxi drivers, will necessitate a higher level of Japanese language proficiency (N3 on the JLPT).