Japan joins the fight to entice highly skilled expat professionals

Once closed to all but a very few expat workers, Japan is attempting to combat its dual problems of a shrinking birthrate and an ageing society by encouraging skilled migrants.

Highly skilled expats in the education, construction and IT sectors are now to be allowed to apply for permanent residency after three years rather than the previous five years. The recently-introduced job training programme for expats will also be extended in order to increase economic stimulation.

By December 2012, an estimated two million expats were working in the country, many of whom were British nationals between the ages of 18 and 25 employed via the one-year working holiday visa. The bulk of jobs available are located in Tokyo, Osaka and the country’s larger cities.

Apart from the notoriously tricky Japanese language, living in Japan’s vast conurbations isn’t much of a culture shock, as the country has been Westernised for many decades.
Accommodation is mostly had in apartment and condo blocks, and there’s plenty of Western food available in stores and the food court basements of the shopping malls.

Healthcare is of a very high standard, but can be expensive for foreigners, with international health insurance the best idea. It’s not necessary to own a car in the cities, as public transport is inexpensive, reliable and comprehensive.

The Japanese themselves are mostly helpful and kind, although the media in some regions is reporting fears that foreigners will take jobs from locals. The Japanese government believes that, over the next 50 years, at least 10 million immigrants will be needed on order to continue the country’s advancement.