"【プレスリリース：記者会見】声明「育成就労制度」に関する国連特別手続共同書簡及び日本政府回答を受けた声明," 21 May 2026

Human Rights Now (HRN), together with the Lawyers Network for Foreign Technical Intern Trainees, held a joint conference and issued statements (HRN/ the Lawyers Network for Foreign Technical Intern Trainees) in response to a communication sent by four UN Special Procedures mandate holders concerning Japan’s new “Employment for Skill Development” (ESD) scheme for migrant workers.

The communication, sent in January 2026 by the UN Special Rapporteurs on contemporary forms of slavery, trafficking in persons, and migrants, together with the UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights, raised concerns that aspects of the new scheme may remain inconsistent with international human rights and labour standards, despite reforms from the previous Technical Intern Training Program (TITP).

In particular, the UN experts questioned provisions that could effectively permit the charging of recruitment fees in countries of origin, noting that excessive recruitment-related fees are internationally recognised as a major driver of debt bondage and forced labour. They also expressed concern that restrictions on job transfers may continue to limit migrant workers’ freedom to change employers in practice.

HRN welcomed the UN experts’ engagement and criticised the Japanese government’s April 2026 response as insufficiently addressing the substantive concerns raised in the communication. According to HRN, the government largely deferred consideration of the issues until after implementation of the law and failed to provide direct answers to several key questions.

HRN further highlighted that the ILO Committee of Experts on the Application of Conventions and Recommendations (CEACR) itself, in its review of Japan’s implementation of the Forced Labour Convention (ILO Convention No. 29), raised concerns regarding the charging of recruitment fees to migrant workers.

HRN called on the Japanese government to revise the scheme in line with international human rights through meaningful engagement with civil society organisations, trade unions, migrant communities, and international organisations.