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Japanese Government Plans to Relax Visa Restrictions on Foreign Animators, Designers

The Japanese government's Council on National Strategic Special Zones, chaired by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, met on Wednesday to discuss a bill that could relax visa restrictions for foreigners working in Japan's special economic zones as animators, designers, and cosmetics professionals.

The current Japanese visa laws have placed strict regulations on foreigners working in certain areas, including animation, fashion, and cooking. Some foreign graduates of Japanese vocational schools with job offers from Japanese companies have been denied visas that would allow them to stay in the country.

The proposal will specifically ease regulations for foreign animators, designers, and cosmetics professionals who wish to work for a Japanese company after graduating from a Japanese school or class.

The bill will be presented at the current ordinary Diet session, which will run through June 1.

The measure is part of a revision of Japan's national strategic special zone act. Abe's "special economic zones" are regions where regulations on certain industries, such as healthcare and agriculture, are reformed in order to promote economic growth.

The Japanese government and various countries support the "Cool Japan" program that promotes modern Japanese culture such as anime and manga abroad. The program revolves around the premise that Japan's strength in business and international affairs lies in anime, manga, films, fashion, and other fields of Japanese arts and entertainment content.

Source: Nikkei Asian Review