Growth and Structural Changes of Foreign Workers in Japan: Economic Implications for Sri Lanka

Abstract

Foreign workers in Japan has been the lowest when compared with OECD countries, in the past. From around the 1990s the scenario demonstrated a slight change, with the number of workers showing a rapid growth, with Sri Lanka being one of the highest migrant sending countries. From 1990 to 2006, the number of migrants increased from 1200 to 12,000. A sample survey was conducted among hundred workers in Japan to analyse this outflow. Findings were displayed under four headings, the more salient being that Japanese employers preferred to recruit Sri Lankans than other nationalities, once a Sri Lankan was already in their employment. Consequently it is recommended that Sri Lanka conduct more Japanese language teaching programmes and skill training sessions in rural areas, to obtain the maximum benefits from the opportunities afforded through employment in Japan.