Immigration Policy in Japan for a New Era of Community Development = Immigration Policy in Japan for a New Era of Community Development

다국어 초록 (Multilingual Abstract)

Japan has been struggling to deal with population decline issue which has brought labor shortage. Currently, it is warned that a large number of municipalities will lose their population, and some might disappear by 2040. In order to avoid the disappearance, the government has suggested countermeasures. Acceptance of foreign labor is one of the important means to maintain Japan`s labor force and economy, however, Japan has not succeeded in recruiting high-skilled foreign nationals who can be a potential permanent resident and contribute to Japan`s economy as well as low birth rate. Once, Japan was in need of cheap labor, the government renewed its immigration policy and began to receive people with Japanese links who are called Nikkeijin. They took part in factory jobs and contributed Japan`s economy, however, the economic crisis has brought their return to home country. Thus, Japan has lost the potential permanent residents. Currently, the acceptance of foreign workers is still one of the prescriptions for population decline. The government focuses on accepting “high-skilled workers” rather than importing “immigrants”, which resulting in “revolving door migration”. In order to attract high-skilled workers and progress their settlement in Japan, more strategic way or realistic immigration policy is needed.