Rural areas concerned that change in foreign intern trainee policy allowing them to change job early may result in them moving to urban areas

TL;DR The number of foreign workers is increasing in rural areas and has become indispensable asset. Miyazaki Prefecture has a record high of 8,515, an increase of 1419 from previous year.

Rural areas are concerned that in 2 years, Development and Employment System that will replace the current Technical Intern Training Program and will allow foreigner workers to change jobs in shorter period of time will create an exodus to urban areas offering higher pay.

Rural areas are facing up to the challenge by treating foreign workers as equals with Japanese workers and trying to change the attitude of the entire local community to accept diversity so they would be chosen as a place to live.