Policy Updates

OTIT has updated its lists of accredited sending organisations for Technical Intern Training, removing 10 organisations in Mongolia and 3 in Indonesia.

OTIT has begun publishing sector-specific operational guidelines for the Employment for Skill Development programme, covering railways, the food service industry, and building cleaning and linen supply in quick succession.

Hokkaido and Sapporo are offering a run of free summer support for companies employing foreign nationals and for foreign residents themselves, including a labour-management training course and expert consultation sessions.

The Immigration Services Agency has published a draft cabinet order setting out proposed fee amounts for residence procedures and opened a public comment period, though the figures are not yet finalised.

A Ministry of Justice task force has published a report on a possible new Japanese-language and everyday-life learning programme for mid- to long-term residents, including a proposal — still under consideration — to factor completion into future permanent residence reviews.

Japan signed bilateral memoranda of cooperation on the Employment for Skill Development programme (launching April 2027) with Thailand and then Uzbekistan, aimed at worker protection and proper implementation.

ISA updated its FAQ to clarify that, until three years after enforcement (16 October 2028), a renewal will not be refused solely for failing to meet the new capital/investment standards.

From 14 June, Japan began operating the Specified Residence Card (integrating the residence card and My Number card), with regional immigration bureaus accepting issuance applications from 15 June.

The amended Immigration Control Act was promulgated on 5 June 2026, creating JESTA and raising the statutory ceiling on residence-procedure fees; the actual amounts are still out for public comment (targeting an October 2026 start).

MHLW revised its foreign worker employment management guidelines (Notification No. 227), with the effort obligation on Japanese-language learning support and other measures phasing in from 14 June.