In another "nothing happens" (yet) development of Japan immigration policy, Nikkei has published a news related to the stricter authorization process for foreign students that engage in baito. (up to 28hrs per week)
In addition to a stricter management of worked hours (how this is going to work without a massive undercover inspection plan on the workplace, a thing the is not going to happen in japan, is a mistery to me)
While this "problem" is apparently nowhere to be so endemic to be a priority, nor the japanese market seems to have a large pool of temporary part timers to fill the openings the foreigners are applying, the government as soon as 2026 seems ready to introduce a stricter authorization and screening process that is likely going to put an additional burden (and likely rise administrative costs) to the immigration bureau.
To be clear, there are some students that work illegaly or over the 28hrs limit, but there are cases of workers forced to do it by their japanese employers. putting the blame on the foreign students alone is not fair imho.
Also if the labor shortage promotes a sort of loophole for fake language students, it is better to solve that problem instead of making the life harder for all the regular students here.
外国人留学生のバイト許可厳しく 審査や時間管理、不法就労抜け穴阻止 – 日本経済新聞
政府は大学や専門学校で学ぶ外国人留学生の就労審査を厳しくする。入国時に申請すれば原則許可する仕組みを改め、就業状況や勤務時間を厳密に管理する。2026年度にも制度を改正し、規定時間を超える勤務や留学を抜け穴とした不法就労を防ぐ。
出入国在留管理庁によると、留学目的で日本に滞在する外国人は2025年6月末時点で約43万5000人にのぼる。在留外国人のおよそ1割を占める。
by throwawayzamurai