Mizuki KawashukudaTechnical intern trainees made use of to compensate for labor force
The number of foreign workers in Japan is on the rise. Japan’s Technical Intern Training, which accounts for the largest percentage of work qualifications, has been denounced by the United States as “modern slavery,” and the United States Department of State’s annual trafficking in person report has repeatedly urged improvements in this system.
Ostensibly, Technical Intern Training is intended as an international contribution by accepting trainees from developing countries and allowing them to learn and bring back home Japanese skills, techniques, and knowledge that are difficult to acquire in their home countries. But in fact, the purpose is to employ foreigners at low wages to compensate for labor shortages due to the aging population. In many cases, trainees are forced to work long hours at extremely low wages and perform simple labor that goes against their training plan, all in the name of “technical training.
In addition, these trainees come to Japan with a large amount of debt owed to the organizations that sends them from their home countries to Japan, and they cannot easily return to their home countries to repay the debt. In addition, the technical internship system does not allow for job changes. Approximately 9,000 workers disappear each year because they cannot endure the harsh working conditions. Passport deprivation is also rampant, and this is attracting attention as a human rights issue for foreign residents in Japan.
Inadequate measures taken by the Japanese government
In 2017, the Japanese government introduced the “Technical Intern Training law” to protect technical intern trainees and ensure that their activities are in line with their intended purpose, and has been monitoring them. However, a survey conducted by the Ministry of health, labor and welfare in 2020 found that 70.8% of trainers violated labor standards-related laws and regulations. This figure has never fallen below 70% in the past five years and indicates that the government’s efforts to improve the situation are inadequate.
Measures required of the Japanese government
Pursue monetary collection from interning countries
The government has established rules in Technical Intern training law that require countries to prevent trainees from incurring large debts, but some countries are not strictly enforcing these rules. In some cases, fine agreements have been negotiated in advance, and parents and relatives have been threatened with the collection of fines. The Japanese government should take responsible action, such as pursuing the interning country and improve the structure that causes trainees to incur large debts.
Strengthen penalties for violations of labor-related laws and Regulations
The Japanese government needs to strengthen regulations on supervisory bodies that mediate the establishment of employment relationships between training providers and trainees and supervise these providers. If regulations are strengthened for the accreditation of supervisory bodies, it will be possible for apprenticeship providers to follow a predetermined plan and conduct appropriate apprenticeships.
It is by no means a mistake for Japan to use overseas workers to fill its labor shortage. However, if it advocates an international contribution, the system should be one that takes refuge in their independence and the development of their home countries.
