## Outline of the “Ideal Future for Immigration Control Administration” (Report of the Fifth Discussion Meeting on Immigration Control Policy)

Smooth and proper acceptance of foreign nationals in response to changes in economic and social circumstances
1. Promotion of acceptance of foreign workers in professional or technical fields, including highly-qualified human resources
O Actual situation, etc. >
O In comparison with other countries, the number of foreign workers in specialized fields who are accepted in Japan, including highlyqualified human resources, remains at a low level, and it is necessary to make efforts to establish a system that enables the government and other relevant parties to work together to promote acceptance of foreign workers and improve the environment. O With regard to highly-qualified human resources who are especially expected to significantly contribute to revitalization of our country's economy, it is necessary to take measures to reinforce incentives for entering the country.
2. Acceptance of foreign workers in medical and nursing care field
O Actual situation, etc. >
O There are some restrictions on employment of foreign nationals who have obtained professional qualifications authorized by the Japanese government, such as dentists and nurses, based on the length of their service. (Restrictions on employment of doctors were eliminated in 2006).
O With regard to acceptance of foreign nurses and certified careworkers under the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), qualifications authorized by the Japanese government are required for permission to continue staying in Japan, but it was pointed out that it is too difficult to meet the requirements for acquisition of such qualifications.
O With the acceleration of a declining birthrate and an aging society, it is necessary to consider, from diverse perspectives, how to accept foreign workers in nursing care field who have obtained professional qualifications authorized by the Japanese government.
3. Acceptance of foreign nationals of Japanese Descent
O Consideration of efforts to ensure smooth and continuous stay of certified careworkers, etc., who are accepted under the EPA
O Consideration of acceptance of those who graduated from a Japanese university and have obtained professional qualifications authorized by the Japanese government, such as certified careworkers, in the light of the employment situation of care workers accepted under the EPA.
O Foreign nationals, including those of Japanese descent, have contributed to development of regional economy and revitalization of multicultural local communities, while they cause much friction and conflicts with local communities due to their insufficient Japanese language ability, etc.
O In the economic recession, various problems have become obvious, for example, the working environment including employment conditions, and education, including school-age children who do not go to school.
4. Proper implementation of training and technical internship programs
O Foreign nationals, including those of Japanese descent, have contributed to development of regional economy and revitalization of multicultural local communities, while they cause much friction and conflicts with local communities due to their insufficient Japanese language ability, etc.
O On the other hand, misconduct by accepting organizations has become obvious, e.g., the treatment of trainees, etc., as low-wage workers, so the programs need to be reviewed.
5. Promotion of acceptance and settlement of foreign college students, etc.
O Proper and smooth implementation of immigration and residence examination toward achievement of the '300,000 Foreign College Students Plan'
O Promotion of settlement of foreign students, including employment by a Japanese company as human resources who will take an active role in economic activities in Japan.
6. Facilitation of international exchange
O Promotion of efforts to achieve a tourism-oriented country
· Further efforts to shorten the waiting time for examination procedures at the airport
· Reinforcement of the immigration control structure in response to an increase of foreign tourists coming to Japan by reinforcing the operation system of local airports
· Enhancement of boarding examination for large cruise ships and expansion of the use of automatic gates
O Consideration of simplified immigration procedures through pre-registration for further facilitation of exchanges with business people in East Asian countries.
7. Issues on acceptance of foreign nationals in the age of declining
O Japan, which is facing a falling birthrate and an aging population, needs to actively accept foreign workers in specialized areas, including highly-qualified human resources.
O Positive consideration of provision of opportunities to gather the opinions of people at all levels with regard to acceptance of foreign nationals who may have an impact on the nation's future and the form of our society.
E
fforts to create a society that generates no illegal residents, etc.
O It is necessary to take measures to further decrease the number of illegal residents, estimated to be about 130,000 even after the Five-Year Plan for Halving Illegal Residents was achieved, and to address the problem of those who disguise themselves as legal residents.
O Promotion of strict measures at the border through the use of various information, including biometric information
O Promotion of measures against illegal and false residents, including expeditious detection and reinforced collection, and analysis of information
O Further promotion of measures to deal with violators, however giving due consideration to their circumstances, including the protection of human trafficking victims
O Realization of proper residence management through prompt and precise analysis of the residence situation
O Promotion of the foundation for a society in which Japanese and foreign nationals can live together in harmony
· Steady implementation of measures to improve convenience of foreign nationals
· Support for improvement in administrative services in cooperation with municipalities, etc.
· Establishment of an institutional framework for realization of a harmonious society
O Appropriate measures to ensure proper implementation of training and internship programs in accordance with the revised Immigration Control Act.
· Application of labor-related laws and regulations to technical interns, and their protection through further reinforced cooperation with the Labor Standards Supervision Office, etc.
· Strict response to organizations engaging in misconduct based on surveys of the actual conditions
O Consideration of the direction for drastic review of programs aimed at measures to address the issue of acceptance of foreign nationals who are workers in fields that are not valued as professional or technical
Development of immigration control administration under the new system of residence management
O Realization of proper residence management through prompt and precise analysis of the residence situation
O Promotion of the foundation for a society in which Japanese and foreign nationals can live together in harmony
· Steady implementation of measures to improve convenience of foreign nationals
· Support for improvement in administrative services in cooperation with municipalities, etc.