JAPAN OPEN TO MORE FOREIGNERS AMID STEEP POPULATION DECLINE

HANOI— Japan is gearing up to accept more foreign workers, as its own population is on the brink of a steep decline, Foreign Minister Taro Kono said on Thursday.

Immigrants add value

Kono told a World Economic Forum meeting in Hanoi that Japan gains “value added” by accepting foreigners, especially since its aging population and low birth rate mean the country is shrinking by a half-million people a year.

“We cannot sustain our society like that,” he said in response to a question during a panel discussion.

“We are opening up our country. We are opening up our labor market to foreign countries. We are now trying to come up with a new work permit policy, so I think everyone shall be welcome in Japan if they are willing to assimilate into Japanese society,” Kono added.

Japan has traditionally resisted accepting migrant workers.

Changing attitudes

Many Japanese are uncomfortable with outsiders who might not speak their language or conform to expectations on how to behave.

The country has gradually been loosening restrictions to enable families to hire domestic help and also has short programs to bring in foreign nurses from Indonesia and other countries.

But language requirements have made long-term employment in such jobs difficult.