Opportunities for foreigners in Cool Japan industries eyed
The Japan News（Webサイト）
The government is considering a plan to increase the number of foreigners engaged in work related to the Cool Japan initiative, such as in the anime and fashion fields, through relaxed requirements for resident status enabling them to work in Japan.
Under the current system, even if foreigners studying in Japan find work as assistants or in other support jobs after graduation, they are not eligible for resident status. Under the plan, however, resident status would be granted in those circumstances.
The change is intended to develop and utilize the foreign workforce to promote Cool Japan-related business overseas.
In late September, the government launched a survey on the state of employment opportunities for foreign workers at about 700 companies related to those fields. It will gather data on the firms’ recruitment of foreign students and analyze them, as well as cases in which they fail to gain employment. The government will conduct another survey for vocational schools and other institutions to examine the employment situation of foreign students.
At Digital Hollywood University (DHU) in Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo, 35 percent of its students are foreigners studying anime, game design and other subjects. DHU President Tomoyuki Sugiyama said: “Many people who are engaged in production of such content as anime start their careers as part-time staff or contract workers. An increase in the number of foreigners working in Japan will help make [anime and other] content more appealing overseas.”