Japan allows stranded foreign interns to switch jobs

Japan will allow foreign trainees stranded in the country due to the pandemic to switch jobs after their technical internship programs are over and stay in the country from early September.

According to Japan's Immigration Services Agency, there are so far 24,200 foreign trainees were stranded in Japan and the number is expected to grow, either due to travel restrictions or workers' inability to afford airfare home.

In April, the agency made it possible for foreign interns who lost their jobs to find jobs in industries other than originally designated.

The government-sponsored program established in 1993 promotes international cooperation by imparting skills and knowledge in Japanese industries to developing countries.

Under the current regulations, trainees are only allowed to work for up to five years in designated fields.

Japan decided in April to allow those who are stranded to work in the same field for an additional year, granting them visas for "designated activities."