OSAKA - Japan’s technical intern training program, designed to allow workers from developing countries to gain skills while working in Japanese companies, has been plagued by workplace violence, low wages, and long working hours, prompting the government to introduce a new system from 2027 that could mark a turning point in how the country engages with its growing foreign workforce.
The number of foreign workers in Japan continues to rise each year, reaching record levels, with around 500,000 technical interns currently in the country. While many come seeking better pay and opportunities to support families back home, serious problems surrounding their working conditions have come to light.
At a demolition site in Osaka, foreign workers operate heavy machinery alongside Japanese staff, with 12 of the 30 workers on-site coming from overseas. Most arrived as technical interns, a system originally intended as a form of international contribution by transferring skills and knowledge to developing nations. Many send a large portion of their earnings back home, often living modestly in Japan while supporting families abroad.
One Vietnamese worker, who arrived six years ago as a trainee and later transitioned to a skilled worker visa after passing certification exams, said most of his income is sent back to his family. Despite finding aspects of life in Japan enjoyable, he continues to work alone while his wife and child remain in Vietnam, prioritizing financial support over personal comfort.
Employers acknowledge the importance of foreign workers, particularly in industries struggling to attract Japanese labor, noting their diligence and willingness to work under challenging conditions. However, alongside this growing reliance, troubling incidents have emerged.
Footage obtained from a support group for Vietnamese residents shows a Japanese coworker allegedly assaulting a foreign worker. Cases of workplace violence, harassment, and excessive working hours have become increasingly visible, raising concerns about systemic issues within the program.
A 22-year-old Vietnamese worker, Pham Suan Bao An, reported being assaulted while working at a waterproofing company in Osaka. He said a senior coworker struck his helmet and later grabbed him by the neck during an argument over machinery use, leaving him injured and requiring hospital treatment. Despite the incident, the company later terminated his contract.
The employer claimed the dismissal was due to safety violations and a lack of effort to learn Japanese, highlighting a broader issue within the system, where language barriers and expectations often create friction between workers and employers. Support organizations argue that breakdowns in communication and understanding between companies, oversight groups, and workers can lead to unfair treatment.
Following the incident, An filed a police report, and an investigation is ongoing. Meanwhile, other issues have surfaced, including cases of trainees absconding from workplaces and being illegally employed by brokers, exposing another layer of exploitation within the system.
Critics point to a fundamental mismatch between the program’s stated goal of international contribution and the reality of labor shortages driving demand for cheap foreign workers.
In response, the Japanese government has decided to abolish the current technical intern training program and introduce a new “employment for development” system starting in April next year. Unlike its predecessor, the new system will focus on securing and developing human resources, with clearer pathways for workers to transition into longer-term skilled roles.
A major change will allow foreign workers to switch employers after a certain period within the same industry, a move aimed at protecting individuals facing abusive conditions and providing greater flexibility.
However, the reform also raises concerns among businesses, including increased costs related to training, recruitment, and onboarding. Some companies are considering alternative visa categories as a result.
Experts emphasize that the success of the new system will depend not only on structural changes but also on how well companies and supervising organizations understand and support the workers they employ.
After losing his job, An relocated to Tokyo, where he found new employment through a support program. However, he now faces another challenge: if he fails to obtain a required level of Japanese proficiency within a year, he may be forced to return to Vietnam.
As Japan continues to rely more heavily on foreign labor, both workers and employers are being tested, with the effectiveness of the new system likely to shape the country’s future approach to immigration and workforce sustainability.
