Japan to extend residency for pregnant skilled foreign workers
The Japanese government is discussing measures to extend the residency period for skilled foreign workers if they become pregnant, Kazinform News Agency correspondent reports.

In April 2019, Japan introduced a new residency status, the Specified Skilled Worker (SSW), designed for foreign professionals with specific skills and experience in certain industries. This status allows individuals to work in 16 sectors, including construction, nursery care, and agriculture. To obtain an SSW visa, applicants must meet requirements related to age, health, professional skills, and proficiency in the Japanese language.
However, there have been cases of foreigners with SSW visas having their employment terminated after becoming pregnant. This is due to the visa's five-year residency limit, after which workers are required to leave the country. This restriction complicates their ability to remain in Japan during pregnancy and after childbirth.
The new initiative aims to establish a more flexible visa system to support foreign nationals who choose to stay in the country during pregnancy and after childbirth. This measure could help alleviate Japan’s labor shortage while also safeguarding the rights of foreign workers.
According to government survey, around 65 percent of companies in Japan employ foreign workers to resolve labor shortages. Meanwhile, data from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) warns that by 2040, Japan could face a shortage of nearly one million foreign workers.
Earlier, Kazinform News Agency reported that births in Japan are set to fall under 700,000 for the first time in 2024.