P. M. Briefing : Japan Poll Backs Foreign Labor

TOKYO — Most Japanese believe that their country should open its doors to unskilled foreign workers, but the government says tough entry restrictions on such workers will continue.

A poll of 3,000 Japanese nationwide, conducted by the Asahi Shimbun daily newspaper and published today, showed that 56% believe that Japan should admit foreign workers, with 33% opposed.

A Labor Ministry official said Japan will “absolutely not” review its stance on admitting unskilled foreign workers.

“Not only do they take job opportunities away from Japanese, they also make it difficult for Japanese to improve their working conditions, because foreign workers are willing to take low wages and not demand insurance and other benefits,” the official said.