The Japanese government began the new visa programme in April so as to increase the number of foreign workers in the country.

Out of the 14 sectors eligible for working rights under the visas, food and beverage manufacturing had the most visa holders at 49, followed by industrial machinery production at 43, molding at 42, and farming at 31.

Vietnamese workers at Koganei Seki Co., Ltd. in Gunma prefecture.

The agency officials said they hope to increase the number of foreign workers that stay in Japan after acquiring such visas by offering tests in all available vocational fields by the end of March 2020. They are planning to give applicants more opportunities to take the tests both in Japan and abroad.

In order to qualify for the visa, an applicant must pass a skills exams and Japanese language test or have gone through Japan’s technical intern programme for at least three year.

The Specified Skilled Worker No.1 resident status allows foreigners to work in 14 sectors for up to five years in total.

Meanwhile, proficient workers in the construction and shipbuilding fields can further extend their stay by earning the No.2 status, which allows holders to bring in family members and has no limit on the number of times they can renew their visas.

Hoi An – popular destination for Japanese tourists

Among nearly 1 million Japanese tourists to Vietnam, 60-70 percent of whom come to Hoi An ancient city in the central province of Quang Nam, according to Vietnamese Ambassador to Japan Vu Hong Nam.

First Vietnam festival held in Fukushima, Japan

The first Vietnam festival held in the Japanese city of Fukushima drew hundreds of Vietnamese people residing in the prefecture of the same name and neighbouring areas.

Vietnamese Muay Thai star to fight Japanese champ at ONE Championship Singapore

Muay Thai fighter Nguyen Tran Duy Nhat will participate in Asia's top martial arts event, ONE Championship, in Singapore next month.

Vietnam receives precious paintings from Japan

Five precious Japanese paintings belonging to Japanese collector Ito Chihiro have been presented to the Museum of Vietnam History in Ho Chi Minh City.

Vietnamese community becomes 3rd largest foreign group in Japan

The number of Vietnamese people residing in Japan amounts to 371,755, making it the third largest foreign community in the country, according to Japan’s Immigration Services Agency.

Source: VNA