Japan okays draft bill on foreign workers in sectors facing labour crunch

The revised law would create two new visa categories for foreigners in sectors with labour shortages

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's cabinet approved draft legislation on Friday to open the door to more overseas blue-collar workers in sectors grappling with labour shortages, a controversial policy shift in immigration-shy Japan.

Japan's immigration debate is heating up even as U.S. President Donald Trump puts the topic front and centre for next week's Congressional mid-term elections.
 

Immigration has long been taboo as many Japanese prize ethnic homogeneity, but the reality of an ageing, shrinking population is challenging such views.

Despite misgivings in Abe's Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), parliament is likely to adopt the revisions in the face of intense pressure from businesses