Society

Japan may accept 47,000 foreign workers next year

Nov 14 (NHK) - Japan's government has projected up to 47,000 foreign workers could come to the country in fiscal 2019 under proposed revisions to the immigration law.

Debate began in the Lower House plenary session on Tuesday on a bill to amend the Immigration Control law that would allow the entry of more foreign workers from April of next year.

Government officials said a labor shortfall of more than 600,000 people is expected in fiscal 2019. They said if the bill is passed, about 33,000 to 47,000 workers from other countries could be accepted during the period.

In the 5 years from fiscal 2019, officials have projected a labor shortage of between 1.3 and 1.35 million people and the arrival of about 260,000 to 340,000 foreign workers.

Opposition parties had been demanding that the number of workers accepted under the revised immigration bill be quickly quantified.

Student's Homemade Bomb Sparks School Lockdown in Sapporo

A suspicious object feared to be explosive was discovered at a high school in Sapporo on the afternoon of November 22nd, causing temporary chaos. The object was found to have been brought to the school by one of its students.

China to resume visa-exemptions for short-term Japanese travelers

China says it will resume allowing visa-free visits by Japanese nationals on short-term trips from the end of this month. (NHK)

Japan Grapples with Poverty and Rising 'Invisible Homeless'

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Ueno Toshogu Shrine Shines in Gold with Special Lighting

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World's First Fiber Made From Bagworm Silk Revolutionizes Industry

A Japanese pharmaceutical company has announced the successful commercialization of fiber made from silk produced by bagworms.

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