The Justice Ministry has decided to station about 50 foreign-language interpreters next fiscal year at immigration clearance counters of 18 airports and seaports across the country, a move apparently designed to cope with the increase in visitors from other Asian countries. It is estimated hiring such interpreters from the private sector will cost 300 million yen, the ministry said.
The ministry has included the cost in its budgetary requests for fiscal 2012, starting next April. The 50 interpreters will consist mainly of those with Chinese and Korean language skills. The ministry also plans to set up a teleconference system so the interpreters can help immigration clearance at regional airports.
Many immigration officers at present can communicate in English, but few of them have Chinese or Korean ability, a ministry official said. According to the ministry's statistics, 9.44 million foreigners entered Japan in 2010, an increase of 1.86 million over the previous year. By country, South Koreans topped the list with 2.69 million visitors, followed by Chinese (excluding those from Hong Kong) with 1.66 million, more than double the figure for 2005.
With the enforcement of the revised immigration control law next July, the residence management system will be changed. This will mean the abolition of the alien registration system, and the adoption of a "residence card" for residents staying for more than three months. The card will mention, among other information, the holder's name, nationality and visa expiration date.
Many immigration officers at present can communicate in English, but few of them have Chinese or Korean ability, a ministry official said. According to the ministry's statistics, 9.44 million foreigners entered Japan in 2010, an increase of 1.86 million over the previous year. By country, South Koreans topped the list with 2.69 million visitors, followed by Chinese (excluding those from Hong Kong) with 1.66 million, more than double the figure for 2005.
With the enforcement of the revised immigration control law next July, the residence management system will be changed. This will mean the abolition of the alien registration system, and the adoption of a "residence card" for residents staying for more than three months. The card will mention, among other information, the holder's name, nationality and visa expiration date.
The ministry has decided that Chinese and Korean interpreters will be needed to explain the revision of the residence status system. Such interpreters will be stationed permanently next fiscal year at Narita, Kansai and Chubu airports, as well as at Hakata, Osaka and other seaports that provide regular liner services to other Asian countries.
At 45 other airports and seaports, teleconference equipment will be installed so an interpreter, an immigration officer and a foreign national can converse with each other, the ministry official said.
(Daily Yomiuri Online)
At 45 other airports and seaports, teleconference equipment will be installed so an interpreter, an immigration officer and a foreign national can converse with each other, the ministry official said.
(Daily Yomiuri Online)
