Japanese businesses fear losing foreign workers

The workers keep factories afloat, but are increasingly drawn to other countries

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Across Japan, foreign workers are keeping factories, fisheries and workshops afloat. But as wages rise in neighbouring countries, many business owners worry that Japan may no longer be an attractive destination for this workforce.

In Choshi, home to a large fishing port in Chiba prefecture, east of Tokyo, one long-established cannery offers a glimpse into both Japan’s dependence on foreign workers and efforts being made to retain them.

Ms Ho Thi Thuy Nhung, 38, begins work at 8am on the assembly line. Her job rotates every few hours: operating a machine that cuts off fish heads and tails, removing foreign objects by hand and carefully lifting fish from a grilling machine. Each task requires focus and precision.

She said: “When I first started, I was confused because there were so many steps. But I learnt quickly. The work changes often, and once I got used to it, I actually found it enjoyable.”

Ms Nhung is a Vietnamese technical intern trainee at Tawara Canning. She travelled to Japan last summer, leaving behind her husband and their eight-year-old son. Of the 80 people employed at the cannery, 16 are technical intern trainees from Vietnam.

Japan is replacing its controversial technical intern training programme. Established in 1993, it has been accused of being a vehicle for obtaining cheap labour and drawn criticism for harsh working conditions and human rights abuses.

A new system is to be launched in 2027.

“Choshi’s main industry could not exist without foreign workers,” said president of Tawara Canning Yoshihisa Tawara.

“From fishing and unloading to wholesale and processing, they support every stage.”

Choshi is not unique. Across Japan, many regional businesses rely on foreign labour to survive. To remain a destination of choice, business owners say companies must rethink how they welcome and support these workers.