In June 2025, the Japan Association of Corporate Executives (Keizai Doyukai) proposed expanding the acceptance of foreign nursery teachers in Japan. This proposal comes in response to ongoing issues such as the declining birthrate and a serious shortage of childcare workers.
With more dual-income families and limited domestic supply of qualified childcare staff, Japan continues to face a labor shortfall in this field. According to the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, the job-to-applicant ratio for nursery teachers remains high, especially in urban areas. Supporters of the proposal argue that tapping into foreign human resources is a practical solution.
In addition to labor needs, some highlight the educational benefits. Children can broaden their worldview by being exposed to diverse cultures and languages, which helps nurture global awareness from an early age. From the standpoint of building a multicultural society, encouraging cross-cultural interaction in nursery environments is viewed as a positive development.
There is also growing interest among young people in Asia who wish to acquire Japanese childcare qualifications. With proper policy design, Japan may be able to attract talented individuals who are eager to contribute.
#NurseryTeacherShortage #ImmigrationPolicy #MulticulturalChildcare #ChildcareCrisis #DualIncomeSupport #GlobalTalent
【Perspective Series ①】
Should Japan Welcome More Foreign Nursery Teachers? Addressing Labor Shortages and Embracing Diversity （日本語版）【対立する視点シリーズ①】外国人保育士の受け入れは必要？人手不足と多文化共生の観点から
Raising Children in Japan