Why should Japan consider Free Choice?
Various international agencies, including the United Nations, have estimated that, in order to merely maintain its existing growth rates, Japan may need to bring in anywhere from 10 to 30 million foreign workers by the year 2050. Even more worrisome is the continuously growing shortage of highly-skilled workers due to an aging population and a dearth of younger workers to take the place of those who retire. The necessity for Japan to not only replace its shrinking workforce but also to keep up with the ever-changing and increasingly competitive global marketplace has become stronger than ever.
Japanese business and government leaders
continue to recognize the need to remain an open
country for talented foreign labor
Japan is in need of talented foreign labor . . .
In the past, Japan has always looked abroad to bring in skilled foreign labor. Despite the recent economic downturn that has led to large numbers of moderate to low-skilled foreign workers either leaving Japan or being paid to leave (in the case of Japanese-Brazilians), senior Japanese business and government leaders continue to recognize the need to remain an open and accessible country for talented foreign labor, especially in highly competitive fields such as bio-tech and green technologies, computers and medical care.
The need for a more open immigration system . . .
Japan's powerful Nippon Keidanren business lobby, whose members include Japan's best-known auto and electronics firms, has long called for a more open immigration system and government policies that help make Japan a more attractive place for foreign professionals to live long-term. Being offered freedom of choice on personal issues like health care is also critical to convincing talented non-Japanese that Japan is a worthwhile place to come and live.
To compete in global markets requires creative minds. . .
Perhaps now more than at any time in the history of the world, there has developed a genuine interest among professionals and academics to work in the Asiatic region. Japan can no longer afford to dogmatically hang onto old ideas that no longer work. If it wants to be at the forefront of new advancements in biotechnology, ecology, education, energy and other fields, Japan needs to realize that it is not the only nation in Asia wishing to create a vitalized and vibrant society by attracting qualified, creative and hardworking professionals from other countries. There are many other nations that would gladly welcome their talents and expertise, and treat them with the dignity and integrity that one would expect in this day and age.
The time has come for Japan to untangle itself from its old ways and realize that embracing diversity can be an important piece of the overall puzzle in not only helping this country remain internationally competitive and relevant, but also in building a more humane and vibrant culture here on the domestic front.