depending on the stage of the training.

Moreover, with regard to the supervising organizations, in order to exclude unsuitable organizations in advance, a permission system is to be introduced, and a provision is established to the effect that if a problem arises after the permission has been granted, the competent Minister may issue an order for improvement or a disposition on revocation of permission, etc.

In addition, in order to ensure the effectiveness of these mechanisms, provisions are to be laid down vis-à-vis the implementers of the technical intern training and the supervising organizations for the collection of reports to the competent Minister, the authority to conduct on-site inspections and prescribed penalties for procedural violations.

## (2) Protection of the Technical Intern Trainees

As well as provisions for prohibition of such acts by an implementer of the technical intern training or a supervising organization as those taking away the passports or residence cards of the trainees or those unduly restricting freedom in the private life of the technical intern trainees, and penalties for such acts, provisions will also be established for prohibition and penalties pertaining to the supervising organizations with regard to acts forcing the technical intern trainees to undergo training and acts imposing fines; penalties for which are provided for by the Labor Standards Law, but which cannot be enforced against the supervising organizations due to the fact that the supervising organizations are not in a relationship of labor and management vis-à-vis the trainees.

In addition, a provision is to be established enabling technical intern trainees to file a report to the competent Minister in cases where the implementer of the technical intern training or the supervising organization commits an act of violation, and disadvantageous treatment owing to having made the report will be prohibited through a penalty.

## (3) Establishment of Organization on Technical Intern Training

In order to ensure consistent supervision and management of the system of technical intern training which extends over the jurisdiction of both the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, an organization on technical intern training will be newly established as an authorized corporation under the jurisdiction of both ministries, and it is to perform the administrative affairs relating to certification of the technical intern training plans and permission for the supervising organizations, on-site inspections for the implementers of the technical intern training and supervising organizations, and advice and assistance for the technical intern trainees.

## ② Measures for Expansion of the System

The technical intern training thus far has been divided into the two stages of Technical Intern Training (i) (one year) and Technical Intern Training (ii) (two years), but Technical Intern Training (iii) (two years), which is the third stage of the technical intern training will be added, and technical intern trainees who will have reached the goal of completion of the technical intern training (ii) will be able to proceed to (iii) on the premise that the technical intern training will be implemented by a trustworthy implementer of the technical intern training and supervising organization, enabling the technical intern training to be implemented for a maximum total of five years.