Japan has seen a big rise in the number of foreign professionals working under the “Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services” visa. In the past decade, this group has grown threefold, now totaling over 400,000 individuals. This visa allows skilled foreigners—like engineers, interpreters, and business experts—to work in Japan, provided they hold a degree or at least 10 years of job experience.

Opportunities and Benefits for Companies

Some companies are tapping into this global talent pool in positive ways. One example is a parts manufacturer in Nagoya, which has hired a team of international professionals. Among them is Nguyen Dang Dung, a Vietnamese engineer who programs machines for high-precision industries such as medicine and aerospace.

“Japanese technology is advanced, and I’m learning a lot,” says Nguyen. His company also says hiring international staff gives them a competitive edge in understanding global markets and expanding overseas.

Behind the Scenes: Unpaid Wages and Mismatched Jobs

While success stories exist, not all workers have the same experience. Reports and videos online show some foreign workers asking staffing agencies to pay overdue wages. Others claim they were placed in roles that don’t match the job category their visa was granted for—an issue that could threaten their legal status in Japan.

A Tokyo-based nonprofit, the Japan Vietnam Tomoiki Association, says it’s receiving more and more requests for help. Many workers find themselves unemployed, underpaid, or assigned unrelated jobs like cleaning instead of skilled work. One woman even paid thousands of dollars to a broker in Vietnam, only to end up without work in Japan.

According to the organization, these problems often come from mismatches between what the visa allows and the type of work the person ends up doing—sometimes due to dishonest employers or third-party agencies.

Communication Gaps Make It Worse

One big challenge for many foreign workers is language. The skilled worker visa doesn’t require high-level Japanese ability, so some workers come to Japan without being able to speak or read Japanese well. This makes it difficult to seek help or understand their rights—and some employers take advantage of that.

In one case, a Vietnamese worker wasn’t paid for three months and couldn’t find a new job. He didn’t want to change visa types because it would mean his wife could no longer stay in Japan with him. “I just want a job. I’m ready to work,” he said.

Experts say this kind of situation is far too common, especially for those unfamiliar with Japan’s legal or labor systems.

Visa System Being Misused?

Some experts believe these problems are partly due to loopholes in the current visa system. After Japan tightened the rules for technical interns, some employers began hiring through the skilled visa route instead—which has fewer checks and easier requirements.

Employment consultant Shoichiro Ikebe notes that some companies use this visa category simply to fill low-skilled jobs, even though it’s meant for specialized professionals. Meanwhile, many foreign workers are paying large fees to brokers to get jobs in Japan—only to find out the work isn’t what they were promised.

Japan Responds, But More Is Needed

The Immigration Services Agency says it’s aware of the rising number of complaints, including unpaid wages and false job descriptions. It’s now considering stronger measures like on-site inspections for companies suspected of violating labor or visa rules.

As Japan continues to welcome skilled foreign workers to ease labor shortages, experts agree on one thing: the system needs more protection and support for the people it’s meant to help.