under the scheme of association-managed training (training programs in which trainees are accepted under the scheme of association managed training such as those run by the chambers of commerce and industry and cooperative organizations and that do not have business relationships with the accepting companies or dispatching companies), which have caused a number of problems, toughening regulations on the acceptors in accordance with the existing conditions, such as imposing greater responsibility for management of trainees, will be considered. The range of job types subject to the technical internship programs will be reviewed widely from the viewpoint of international contributions, and measures to smoothly and quickly respond to internship requests will be considered in cooperation with relevant government agencies. When considering these measures, the view of promoting skills and technology transfers overseas though the development of transparent and appropriate programs that will benefit both the countries which are dispatching the foreign trainees and technical interns and the receiving country, Japan will also be included.

## (6) Measures for Foreign Nationals Staying in Japan for a Long Time

Unlike foreign nationals staying in Japan for temporary sightseeing purposes, those who stay in Japan for a long time are residents who have ties to the regional community. The measures for those foreign residents have become more significant as their number has increased. The conditions of permission for “Permanent Resident” will be further specified and clarified for those foreign residents who wish to stay in Japan permanently.

From the point of view of developing an environment where foreign nationals can live comfortably, it is indispensable to link together measures in various areas including labor, education and welfare to appropriately address living condition problems seen in regions where many foreign nationals reside. Therefore, relevant national measures should be considered in coordination with local government measures. Since it is important for foreign nationals to have Japanese language skills when engaging in various activities in Japan, cooperation with government agencies in charge of Japanese language education and promotion measures for foreign nationals in Japan and foreign countries will be reinforced, and the immigration control administration will also play a major role including consideration of how to accept foreign nationals. In order to make it easier for foreign nationals to live in Japan, for example, foreign medical doctors may be allowed to provide medical services in foreign languages. Such a measure will help Japan become a country where foreign nationals can live comfortably.

While a wide range of organizations are involved in helping foreign nationals stay in Japan, foreign nationals who do not have much knowledge of the Japanese language or of Japan’s administrative structure may lack knowledge on contacts for consultations on administrative services. In this respect, possible measures to support the livelihood of foreign nationals will be considered. Such measures may be to expand the website functions of immigration control services and to cooperate with relevant administrative agencies and private-sector organizations supporting foreign nationals, including participation in efforts to build cooperation arrangements for regional information exchange and services. Immigration information centers in each regional administration bureau may also accept inquiries from