Japan is gearing up to accept more foreign workers as its own population is on the brink of a steep decline, Foreign Minister Taro Kono said Friday. Kono told a World Economic Forum meeting in Hanoi that Japan gains "value added" by accepting foreigners, especially since its aging
Japan is gearing up to accept more foreign workers as its own population is on the brink of a steep decline, Foreign Minister Taro Kono said Friday.
Kono told a World Economic Forum meeting in Hanoi that Japan gains «value added» by accepting foreigners, especially since its aging population and low birth rate mean the country is shrinking by a half-million people a year.
«We cannot sustain our society like that,» he said in response to a question during a panel discussion. «We are opening up our country. We are opening up our labor market to foreign countries. We are now trying to come up with a new work permit policy so I think everyone shall be welcome in Japan if they are willing to assimilate into Japanese society.
