Japan considers permanent residency for skilled blue-collar workers

The government is considering allowing blue-collar foreign workers with certain skills to live permanently in the country with their families, as Japan struggles with a serious labor shortage amid a declining population, sources said Thursday. In what would represent a turning point for the country's immigration policy, which more or less sanctions only the entry of highly skilled professionals, the government of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is seeking to open the door to blue-collar foreign workers by introducing a new system next April. The government is studying two new types of residence status for foreign workers, who must have Japanese language proficiency as well as knowledge and experience in one of more than 10 fields. Those sectors include nursing care, agriculture and construction, according to the sources. Those who qualify for the first type of residence status will be issued a visa valid up to five years but will not be allowed to bring their family members. Those who qualify for the second type -- namely, highly skilled laborers -- will be offered permanent residence status and allowed to bring their family members to Japan.