KUALA LUMPUR - A survey by NHK has found that 92 per cent of major Japanese companies now accept foreign workers.

Firms cited the need to secure specialised skills and address labour shortages caused by the country’s declining population.

The survey was conducted between December and January among 100 major domestic companies, with 78 responding.

Nearly two-thirds said they hire foreign workers to obtain advanced skills and promote innovation through a diverse workforce.

Other reasons included strengthening global business operations and responding to persistent manpower shortages.

The survey also examined challenges faced by companies in employing foreign workers.

More than half, or 51 per cent, said improving Japanese language and job training systems was a major concern.

About 38 per cent pointed to the need to speed up visa and residency application procedures.

Around one-third cited the lack of clear career development paths for foreign employees.

Another 29 per cent highlighted the importance of providing better livelihood and welfare support.

Menju Toshihiro, a visiting professor at Kansai University of International Studies, said Japan must compete with other Asian and European countries for skilled workers.

“It’s important to provide foreign workers with job training opportunities on the same basis as Japanese employees, and the government or the company needs to take responsibility for providing them with Japanese language education.

“Japan has reached a point where expertise will be lost if skilled domestic workers retire without passing their techniques on to foreign hires,” he said.