Japan Considers Adding Security Work to Foreign Worker Programs

Summary

Japan is examining whether to add security work to its Specified Skilled Worker and new Employment for Skill Development programs. A six-member expert panel will study the proposal and is expected to prepare a report as early as January. Possible fields include facility security, traffic guidance and cash transportation. The panel will also consider worker numbers, required skills and Japanese-language standards. The proposal reflects Japan’s effort to address labor needs while maintaining public safety and professional standards. It could create new career opportunities for foreign residents, but no final decision has been made. Read the full article for background on the programs and what the review could mean for workers and employers in Japan.

Police Agency Launches Review of Possible Policy Change

Japan is considering whether to add the security industry to the sectors covered by its Specified Skilled Worker residence status and the forthcoming Employment for Skill Development program, according to an announcement by the National Police Agency on the 10th.

The agency plans to establish an expert panel to examine the proposal and is expected to compile a report as early as January. Based on the panel’s findings, the National Police Agency is likely to request institutional changes from the Ministry of Justice and other relevant government ministries.

Six-Member Panel to Examine Scope and Standards

The panel will consist of six members, including lawyers and university professors with expertise in accepting foreign workers, as well as representatives from industry organizations. Their discussions will focus on whether security work is suitable for foreign worker programs and, if so, how the system should be designed.

Among the issues under review will be which areas of the security business should be opened to foreign workers. Possible fields include guarding buildings and other facilities, directing traffic and transporting cash. The panel is also expected to discuss the number of workers who could be accepted, the skills they would need and the level of Japanese-language ability required for each role.

What the Programs Mean for Foreign Workers

Japan’s Specified Skilled Worker system was created to accept foreign nationals with skills in designated industries facing labor shortages. Workers must meet skill and Japanese-language requirements, and the conditions vary according to the sector. The system is intended to support industries while ensuring that foreign workers are placed in jobs where they can perform safely and effectively.

The Employment for Skill Development program is designed to replace Japan’s existing Technical Intern Training Program. The government has been working to create a system that places greater emphasis on developing workers’ skills and protecting their rights, while also responding to the country’s long-term labor needs. Any decision to include security work would therefore have implications for both employers and foreign residents planning careers in Japan.

Safety and Communication Will Be Central Concerns

Security work involves direct responsibility for public safety, crowd management, access control and, in some cases, valuable property. Strong communication skills are particularly important when workers must respond quickly to emergencies, give instructions to the public or coordinate with police, transport operators and other authorities.

For foreign applicants, the eventual rules could determine whether opportunities are available in building security, event security, traffic guidance or cash-in-transit services. Employers may also need to provide structured training, clear workplace guidance and support for Japanese-language development. The panel’s recommendations will be closely watched by security companies, local communities and people from overseas who are interested in working in Japan.

Importantly, the proposal is still under examination and does not represent a final decision to accept foreign workers in the security industry. The scope of any future policy, the application process and the timing would depend on the expert report and subsequent decisions by the relevant ministries.