Towards “making Japan a trusted and chosen destination for foreign workers”
The movement control order across countries due to COVID-19 pandemic has once again highlighted the current situation in Japan, where foreign workers are indispensable [1] to social and economic development. However, there have been various issues in accepting foreign workers in Japan. Given the birthrate is declining in other developed countries and some emerging countries, it is feared that it will be even more difficult to secure workers in the future.
These various issues related to foreign workers are recognized as common issues in society. In order to find solution for these problems, it is necessary for many stakeholders including private companies and local governments to cooperate. This is also a reason for this platform to be established.
[1] As of January 2020, there were approximately 1.66 million foreign workers in Japan, with approximately 380,000 foreign workers for technical intern training and specific skills, and 240,000 establishments employed.
– Date and Time: 15:30-18:00, Monday, November 16,2020 (planned)
– Venue: JICA Sadako Ogata Peace Development Institute / International Conference Hall (online distribution is also planned)
https://jp-mirai.org (opened on October 16)
– Date and time: 15:00-16:30, Wednesday, October 28, 2020.
– Format: Online (Zoom)
– Contents:
(1) Purpose and outline of the establishment of this platform
(2) JICA’s latest efforts regarding acceptance of foreign human resources
Platform Secretariat within The Global Alliance for Sustainable Supply Chain (ASSC)
Tel: 044-982-1729
E-Mail: ask@jp-mirai.org
JICA Public Relations Office Press Division: Ms. Haruko Kase
Tel: 03-5226-9780
E-Mail: Kase.Haruko@jica.go.jp
– Members: Companies and industry groups that accept foreign workers in Japan, labor unions, civil society, media, researchers, etc.
– Purpose: To improve the working and living environment of foreign workers who play a part in Japan’s society and economy, and to accept foreign workers appropriately. By doing so, we will contribute to improving Japan’s productivity, developing society, and creating Japan that is trusted and selected by workers around the world.
– Platform Code of Conduct: Will be approved at the General Assembly of the Founding Forum in November.
1. Providing useful information to foreign workers
2. Understanding the problems faced by foreign workers (listening to their voices)
3. Examination of solutions in collaboration with government agencies and international organizations in each country including Japan
4. Enlightenment, public relations, policy proposals and promotion of concrete activities regarding the need to improve the working and living environment of foreign workers in Japan
5. Mutual learning about appropriate acceptance of foreign workers, promotion of information exchange, exchange and collaboration between members
– Founders: JICA, ASSC, Kurean Co., Ltd. (of which JICA and ASSC are joint secretariats)
– Agree (company / organization, in order of AIUEO): IC Net Co., Ltd., Ajinomoto Co., Ltd., ASICS Co., Ltd., Senken Shimbun Co., Ltd., Nakajima Construction Co., Ltd. ), Sustainable Brand Japan (Hakuten Co., Ltd.), Sumitomo Electric Industry Co., Ltd., Daisen Co., Ltd. (Textile News), Toyota Motor Co., Ltd., MIKI SHOKO Co., Ltd.
Agree (individual): Mari Iizuka (Professor, Graduate School of Business, Doshisha University), Attorney Shoichi Shijuku, Attorney Shohei Sugita (Century Law Office), Attorney Shinya Takai
– ASSC: In anticipation of global trends, the “Foreign Workers Council” was established in 2018 with the aim of improving the working environment for foreign workers in private companies and their supply chains, and supporting improving efforts of private companies. ASSC is an organization with a proven track record.
– JICA: Many foreign workers come from developing countries and are expected to return to their home countries in the future. They have been valuable human resources who support the communities and industries of developing countries. JICA has been working on human resource development for foreign workers before they come to Japan, support for employment and entrepreneurship of foreign workers who have returned to Japan, and promotion of multicultural coexistence activities in Japan such as Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers who have returned to Japan. Our policy is to promote the efforts of this platform while linking with these businesses.
Inquiries about the platform:
Platform Secretariat within The Global Alliance for Sustainable Supply Chain (ASSC)
Tel: 044-982-1729
E-Mail: ask@jp-mirai.org
Applications and inquiries regarding press sessions
JICA Public Relations Office Press Division: Ms Haruko Kase
Tel: 03-5226-9780
E-Mail: Kase.Haruko@jica.go.jp
