Japan eyes softer immigration rules for skilled workers

TOKYO, May 19 Kyodo -
Japan's key economic policy panel proposed Tuesday that the government start
considering relaxing immigration rules in favor of skilled workers from abroad
as part of its efforts to help fight the rapid aging of the country's
population.
The government should draw up a comprehensive state strategy by next March in
order to survive intensifying global competition to seek such highly capable
workforces mainly from other Asian countries, said the Council on Economic and
Fiscal Policy, which advises Prime Minister Taro Aso.
The advisory panel said one of the main pillars of the envisaged strategy would
be the introduction of a ''point system'' designed to allow preferential
treatment in immigration controls to those who receive a certain amount of
points the government would give depending on their skills.
The preferential treatments are likely to include eased and fast-track
procedures to obtain an entry permit and renew resident status.
The council fell short of clarifying any specific jobs that would be subject to
the program, but it seems to have an eye on positions such as researchers,
engineers and those who have specialty in corporate management.
The move comes as Japan has stepped up its battle to fend off the negative
fallout from the country's graying population on the economy and increasingly
turned to overseas for alternative labor forces to cover the shortfall.
The council warns that after Japan gets out of the current economic downturn
and starts recovering, the country may lack appropriate workers in the
manufacturing and nursing-care sectors.
==Kyodo