Human Resources

December 2003

Japan must clear many hurdles before it can sign free trade agreements with Thailand, the Philippines and Malaysia. In addition to the liberalization of agricultural trade, which is certain to touch off objections from the farming sector, Japan faces the tough issue of opening its labor market. Thailand and the Philippines are demanding that Japan accept nurses and nursing-care professionals. In order to work in Japan, nurses must pass the required national exam. As of the end of 2002, only 114 foreigners had visas allowing them to work as medical professionals such as nurses and doctors. The Welfare Ministry is unlikely to budge on this point, arguing that relaxing the visa requirements would affect the quality of medical care. An association of nurses is also opposing the deregulation, citing the possibility of malpractice and medical accidents. Thailand is asking Japan to accept nursing-care givers and massage specialists. But Japan currently does not have visa criteria for those professions and must make legal revisions to allow those workers to obtain visas. Thailand will be a formidable negotiator in agricultural talks as well. Of its total Japanese exports, Y330 billion worth of goods consist of agricultural and marine products. It is certain to demand the elimination of tariffs on poultry and sugar. And the Philippines is likely to call upon Japan to open up its banana and pineapple markets. Negotiations with Malaysia are expected to be less difficult. Its major agricultural exports to Japan are all tariff free, except for plywood. The country is not asking Japan to open its labor market. (December 12, the Nihon Keizai Shimbun)

The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare will dissuade companies from setting age limits when hiring workers by requiring them to clarify the reasons for such actions. The proposed requirement is included in the ministry's draft plans, which are aimed to help senior citizens secure jobs. The ministry presented the draft to the Labor Policy Council, an advisory panel to the labor minister. Although the ministry is not considering taking legislative steps to ban age limits in hiring, it hopes to persuade companies to shun age discrimination. The ministry also will require companies to employ their workers until they become eligible for pension benefits. The government plans to raise the age to 65 by fiscal 2013.　(December 10, the Nihon Keizai Shimbun)