The Japanese government has announced a new decision mandating proof of Japanese language proficiency as a fundamental requirement for obtaining work visas for engineers and specialists in the fields of humanities and international services. This decision, expected to take effect in mid-April, comes amid increasing cases of foreigners entering Japan illegally, where work visas are being used in areas that require specialized skills for non-specialized jobs.
According to informed sources, the Japanese government will amend its work visa policy, requiring applicants to submit documents proving their ability to speak Japanese at a B2 level according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, which is equivalent to N2 level in the Japanese Language Proficiency Test. This amendment will apply to new applicants for work visas, while international students wishing to change their status will be exempt.
Details of the New Policy
This step is part of the Japanese government's efforts to curb violations occurring when foreigners enter the country on work visas and then work in jobs that do not match their qualifications. Reports indicate that the number of foreigners living in Japan reached approximately 4.13 million by the end of 2025, with around 475,000 holding work visas in engineering and humanities fields.
The Japanese government has also imposed restrictions on companies that were receiving labor under technical training programs, prohibiting them from bringing in new workers until the end of the penalties imposed on them due to previous violations related to abuse or non-payment of wages.
Background & Context
Historically, Japan has relied on foreign labor to fill gaps in the labor market, especially in technical fields. However, the increasing number of foreigners entering the country on work visas and then working in non-specialized jobs has raised concerns for the government, prompting it to take strict measures to ensure compliance with the specified conditions of their visas.
Last January, the Japanese government laid out a comprehensive plan for welcoming foreigners, emphasizing the need for strict actions against cases where work visas are exploited. This new policy reflects the government's overall direction towards strengthening immigration and labor laws to ensure that the system is not abused.
Impact & Consequences
This new policy is expected to affect the labor market in Japan, making it more difficult to obtain work visas for engineers and specialists. This could lead to a decrease in the number of applicants for work visas, which may impact certain sectors that heavily rely on foreign labor.
Additionally, this move may contribute to improving the level of Japanese language proficiency among foreigners, facilitating their integration into Japanese society and enhancing their opportunities for obtaining jobs that match their qualifications.
Regional Significance
For Arab countries, this decision may affect job opportunities available for Arab engineers in Japan. Applicants from Arab nations will now need to be prepared to learn Japanese to a certain level before applying for work visas. This could open the door for new educational programs aimed at teaching the Japanese language in Arab countries.
In conclusion, this step by the Japanese government reflects a trend towards strengthening immigration laws, which may contribute to improving the labor market and ensuring that the system is not exploited by foreigners.