1. Introduction

(1) Situation of foreign residents of Japanese descent

2. Specific initiatives for each measure

(1) Measures necessary for foreign residents of Japanese descent to be able to communicate in Japanese in everyday life

[1] Develop a comprehensive system to promote education of the Japanese language, etc.

1. Hold "Conference for Promoting Japanese Education" participated by the institutions involved in the education of Japanese language, etc., and working-level communication meetings "Conference for Communication among Ministries and Agencies related to Japanese Education" to understand the general activities related to Japanese language education and to exchange information to determine issues yet to be addressed. (Ministry of Education, Culture, Sport, Science and Technology [MEXT])
2. Continue application of the "Japanese Language Education Program for 'Foreigners as Residents in Japan'" establishing and operating Japanese classes, training Japanese-language teachers selected from foreigners with a certain level of competence in Japanese, etc., and carrying out practical training of volunteers, etc., to solve issues that any foreigner, who lacks Japanese language skills, may have in order to enable them to feel comfort and a valued member of society while living in Japan. (MEXT)
3. Consolidate information from various sources about Japanese language education owned by the governmental or non-governmental institutions, etc., involved in the Japanese language education, and consider setting up a system which allows for the information to be available to each of them and also build a database of the curriculums of the Japanese language education of "Foreigners as Residents in Japan" adopted in the Japanese Language Sectional Meeting of the Cultural Affairs Council in 2010, making it available through the internet. (MEXT)
4. Promote the standard curriculum template and examples of teaching materials for the Japanese language education of "Foreigners as Residents in Japan" to the institutions and organizations involved in Japanese language education. Also, request for the Education in Japanese Language Subcommittee of the Japanese Language Sectional Meeting mentioned above review the criteria for evaluating the competency and instruction ability of the Japanese language based on the standard curriculum template. (MEXT)
5. Hold a "Conference of Collaborators in Survey and Research concerning the Cultivation and Training of Japanese Language Teachers, etc.", analyze the curriculum, etc., of Japanese language education, and review the current conditions concerning the cultivation and training of Japanese language teachers, etc. (MEXT)

[2] Foster the acquisition of Japanese-language proficiency, taking advantage of various administrative procedures

1. "Handbook of Learning Japanese and Life in Japan", explaining the necessity to learn Japanese, offering information about learning and living with the Japanese language, as well as an introduction to the Japanese language, etc., is posted on the Agency of Cultural Affairs' website, as well as distributed to all the prefectural governments (including Education Boards), in Portuguese, Spanish and other languages. Continue to make efforts to provide information for the future. (MEXT)
2. Continue to provide foreign nationals, such as Japanese visa applicants with the "Guide to Living in Japan" and leaflet which were compiled in multiple languages containing various information (including learning the Japanese language, medical care and insurance, education in Japan, etc.) by posting them on the Ministry, Embassies and Consulates' website and by distributing them at the Embassies and Consulates when the visa was issued. The Guideline and leaflet were made by the "International Workshop on Acceptance of Foreign nationals and Their Integration in Japan" held in FY 2009. (Ministry of Foreign Affairs)
3. Taking account of the progress of the initiatives listed in [1] or [2] b above, continue consideration of measures to foster the acquisition of Japanese-language proficiency, such as ascertaining the level of Japanese-language proficiency and encouraging the learning thereof when necessary during various administrative procedures. (Cabinet Office, Related ministries)

(2) Measures necessary to provide proper care for children

[1] Support the education of children

1. Promote the systematic and comprehensive guidelines regarding instructions on adaptation and Japanese language tuition, etc., and develop the methods to measure the competency of students with regards to the Japanese language in schools and the manuals to train teachers of Japanese language tuition, etc. (MEXT)
2. Continue the "Project to Promote the Coordination and Cooperation among Schools, Families and Communities" by which the government grants one third of the cost necessary to staff supporters for preschool-age foreign children in pre-classes, to support parents lacking the competency in Japanese language, and to staff personnel (school-enrollment promoters) to provide information about the education system, etc., in Japan. (MEXT)
3. Continue to disseminate the matters requiring consideration in teaching foreign students, which are provided in the Courses of Study, etc., to the Education Boards and schools. (MEXT)
4. In terms of Japanese language tuition, continue to provide information regarding successful methods and materials for teaching Japanese used in various locations, as well as any know-how and experiences in teaching foreign students the Japanese language, etc. (MEXT)
5. Assess actual accounts of teaching foreign students the Japanese language by hearing, and review the education curriculum taking into consideration the students' competency in Japanese, etc., in terms of the established systems. (MEXT)
6. Promote development of an environment which allows for foreign students to enter or transfer to public schools in Japan with ease, where over-school aged students will be accepted, students lacking the competency in Japanese required for learning subjects can be accepted in lower school years, etc. (MEXT)
7. Maintain the number of teachers in charge of Japanese language education for foreign students, and consider ways of improving their allocation. (MEXT)
8. Continue to conduct special training of the teachers in schools accepting foreign students and the teachers' consultants in Education Boards in charge of teaching foreign students in how to teach the Japanese language, etc. (MEXT)
9. Assess the training of teachers in charge of the Japanese language in the Central Education Council's review regarding the measures to improve the qualification of teachers. (MEXT)
10. Continue to promote work experience in elementary and junior-high schools, and investigate and research solutions for various issues in order to promote career education through the educational activities in schools, disseminating the findings widely. (MEXT)
11. Investigate the cases of senior-high schools having a system to accept foreign students, and make the information widely available to help develop an environment in which such students can be accepted to senior-high schools. (MEXT)
12. Take measures to make the Examination for Granting an Equivalency Certificate of Lower Secondary School Graduation more accessible to foreign children from FY 2011 onwards, such as preparing test sheets containing the examination questions with kana printed beside each kanji in the text, exempting those with a score of N2 or higher in the Japanese Competency Test from the Japanese language examination, etc. (MEXT)
13. Promote the enrollment of children who are foreign residents of Japanese descent in schools by distributing leaflets on enrollment in schools prepared by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sport, Science and Technology to the residents when they renew their period of stay. (Ministry of Justice, MEXT)

[2] Support the promotion of upgrading the Brazilians' schools to those in the miscellaneous schools or of quasi-school corporations, etc., and requests to the Brazilian government, etc.

1. Continue to disseminate the "Procedures Manual on Applying for Quasi-School Corporation or Miscellaneous School Status" (Japanese and Portuguese versions) prepared in FY 2009. (MEXT)
2. Request the Brazilian government for support (distribution of textbooks free of charge, etc.) to the children of Brazilians living in Japan by taking advantage of bilateral meeting on consular affairs between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of both countries and the meeting with the Ministry of Education of Brazil, etc. (Ministry of Foreign Affairs, MEXT)
3. Continue to support the "Remote Education Course for Brazilian Teachers Resident in Japan" operated by the Brazilian government under partnership with Brazilian and Japanese universities to issue to the teachers the official teaching certificates of Brazil by providing the course with the facilities of the international cooperation agency without charge. (Ministry of Foreign Affairs)
4. Continue to implement the Support Program to Facilitate School Education for Foreign Children ("Bridging Course" Program) to allow for better accessibility to Japanese language education in 2011. Also, consider the continued operation of the project for 2012 and beyond to increase its effectiveness and efficiency through evaluation and examination of the project and understanding the conditions necessary for children to enter school and any new requirements. (MEXT)

(3) Measures necessary for obtaining a stable job

[1] Occupational education/training, etc., where Japanese language ability necessary for employment can be learnt

1. Conduct the work preparation training in 2011 as a part of the three-year measures started in FY 2009 to address labour issues arising from the economic crisis. This program is conducted in the communities where the foreign residents of Japanese descent job seekers densely live to fulfill the need of those job seekers who are highly motivated to gain secure jobs and the training aims at increasing their Japanese proficiency, and providing basic knowledge about Japanese labour law, employment practices, labour/social insurance system. (Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare [MHLW])
2. Continue to conduct occupational training for foreign residents of Japanese descent job seekers with a certain level of ability in Japanese with consideration to their Japanese ability, etc., in a community where many foreign residents of Japanese descent live based on the needs of the community. (MHLW)

[2] Multi-lingual consultation on finding employment

1. Multi-lingual consultation by assigning interpreters and consultants at Hello Work covering the communities where many foreign residents of Japanese descent live, by operating the one-stop-service sections in association with the municipality offices, and by operating the consultation/assistance centers for foreigners should be continued in 2011 as a part of the three-year measures started in FY 2009 to address labour issues arising from the economic crisis. (MHLW)

[3] Guidance of, and support and consultation to, employers, and exchange of opinions with industries, etc.

1. Give employers guidance for the improvement of employment management according to "The Guideline concerning Appropriate Approaches to Improving Management of Foreign Workers for Employers" by sending the personnel of Hello Work, etc., to the employers' offices and offer the employers more specialized consultation support by the foreigners employment management advisors on request. (MHLW)
2. Continue to exchange opinions with the industries about various issues involving foreign residents of Japanese descent. (Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry [METI])
3. Give proper guidance to the industries about the issues concerning foreign workers, including foreign residents of Japanese descent, in cooperation with the ministries and agencies concerned. (METI)
4. Continue to discuss in the working-level meetings with representatives from the ministries concerned on possible strategies to have companies and economic organizations play a part in supporting foreign residents of Japanese descent as a responsibility of their employers. (Cabinet Office, MEXT, MHLW, METI)

[4] Measures for promoting proper employment

1. Give employers guidance for the improvement of employment management according to "The Guideline concerning Appropriate Approaches to Improving Management of Foreign Workers for Employers" by sending the personnel of Hello Work, etc., to the employers' offices and offer the employers more specialized consultation support by the foreigners employment management advisors on request. (The same measures as mentioned earlier) (MHLW)

(4) Measures necessary for addressing problems faced in society

[1] Make information available in multiple languages, provide information about Japan and the basics of the Japanese language

1. Continue to provide information on nationwide systems, etc., in multiple languages on the Cabinet Office's "Portal Site on Policies for Foreign Residents" taking into consideration the needs of NPOs, etc. providing consultation and support, and improve the information to aid the activities of such NPOs, etc. as well. (Cabinet Office)
2. The guidebook for enrollment in schools containing information about the education systems in Japan and the procedures for enrollment in schools has been published in Portuguese, Spanish and other languages, and distributed to all the prefectural and other local Education Boards in the country, overseas diplomatic offices, etc., as well as the website of Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology. Continue to make efforts to provide information in the future. (MEXT)
3. The leaflet encouraging subscription to the national pension system has been published in Portuguese, Spanish and other languages, and distributed to all the Pension Offices in the country, as well as published on the Japan Pension Service's website. Continue to make efforts to provide information in the future. (MHLW)
4. The leaflet encouraging health checks for pregnant women has been published in Portuguese, Spanish and other languages, and distributed to all the Pension Offices in the country, as well as published on the Ministry's website. Continue to make efforts to provide information in the future. (MHLW)
5. Promote efforts to implement multiple-language paper tests for drivers' licenses including preliminary check for training courses at each prefectural police department. (National Police Agency)
6. Continue to provide foreign nationals, such as Japanese visa applicants with the "Guide to Living in Japan" and leaflet which were compiled in multiple languages containing various information (including learning the Japanese language, medical care and insurance, education in Japan, etc.) by posting them on the Ministry, Embassies and Consulates' website and by distributing them at the Embassies and Consulates when the visa was issued. The Guideline and leaflet were made by the "International Workshop on Acceptance of Foreign nationals and Their Integration in Japan" held in FY 2009.
   (The same measures as mentioned earlier) (Ministry of Foreign Affairs)
7. "Handbook of Learning Japanese and Life in Japan", explaining the necessity to learn Japanese, offering information about learning and living with the Japanese language, as well as an introduction to the Japanese language, etc., is posted on the Agency of Cultural Affairs' website, as well as distributed to all the prefectural governments (including Education Boards), in Portuguese, Spanish and other languages. Continue to make efforts to provide information in the future. (The same measures as mentioned earlier) (MEXT)
8. The National Tax Agency will continue to prepare the English version of the introduction to tax returns for foreigners, and some taxation bureaus receiving many requests from foreign residents of Japanese descent will also continue to prepare it in Portuguese and Spanish, sending it to foreign tax-payers together with the tax return form or offering it over the counter at tax offices, as well as posting it on the relevant taxation bureaus' website. (National Tax Agency)

[2] Utilization of Public Rental Housing

1. Continue to promote measures to approve foreigners with resident status to move into Publicly-operated Housing, etc., in the same way as Japanese residents. (Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism [MLIT])
2. Continue to utilize vacant public housing supplied by local governments by simplifying the procedures for young single persons or other persons not originally qualified for tenancy so that those who may lose employment and accommodation can secure a home. (MLIT)

[3] Supporting Acceptance to Private Rental Housing

1. Disseminate and increase observation of the guidelines regarding facilitation of foreigners moving into private rental housing and the guidebooks about searching for rental housing by publishing them on the Ministry's website or by other means. (MLIT)
2. Facilitate foreign families moving into private rental housing by supporting the activities of local governments, operators concerned, and the tenant-support councils organized by the supporters of foreigners searching for homes, to enable foreigners to secure a home. (MLIT)

[4] Measures against disasters

1. Consider how to raise disaster awareness through various types of media, such as enhancing the contents (by using multiple languages, enhancing links with related organizations' sites) of the Fire and Disaster Management Agency's website explaining to foreigners how to raise their disaster awareness. (Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications [MIC])
2. Consider providing local governments with the necessary advice for promoting disaster prevention measures for foreign residents of Japanese descent. (MIC)

[5] Measures to prevent crimes

1. Continue to enhance anti-crime measures in cooperation with other organizations concerned by having each prefectural police department offer crime- and delinquency-prevention classes and distribute handbooks for consultation about crime prevention at the classes to keep foreign residents of Japanese descent from being victimized. (National Police Agency)
2. Lend tools by free necessary for activities for protecting and guiding children on their way to and from school to voluntary crime-prevention groups mainly composed of foreign residents of Japanese descent. Also continue to have each prefectural police department support those groups by giving them local security information and conducting patrols jointly with them, etc. (National Police Agency)

[6] Traffic safety education

1. Continue to have each prefectural police department offer traffic safety classes to make the traffic rules better understood by foreign residents of Japanese descent, using multiple-language educational materials for foreigners. (National Police Agency)

[7] Develop systems to offer consultation in foreign languages, promote development of human resources and NPOs

1. Continue consultation by telephone for foreign residents of Japanese descent regarding their well-being, etc., conducted as part of the support for Japanese emigrants and their descent. (Ministry of Foreign Affairs)
2. Promote actively the development of NPOs and human resources who will engage in social activities by measures such as offering information to them, because it is important to cooperate with not only administrative institutions but also NPOs and other parties that undertake the New Public Commons for supporting their lives through facilitating communications with foreign residents of Japanese descent. (Cabinet Office, Related ministries)
3. Improve the environment whereby foreign residents of Japanese descent can be actively accepted into Japanese society by publishing the results of community projects undertaken by local governments with large communities of foreign residents and the results of the activities of NPOs and companies on the "Portal Site on Policies for Foreign Residents", as well as by encouraging the efforts made by local governments, NPOs and companies. (Cabinet Office, Related ministries)
4. Continue to develop the system allowing consultation in foreign languages available by operating the "Immigration Information Center" and "One-stop Center for Comprehensive Support of Foreigners" (Ministry of Justice), staffing interpreters and consultants to the "Hello Work" facilities, operating the one-stop-service corner in association with the municipality offices, and operating the consultant / support center specializing in foreign residents of Japanese descent (MHLW). (A part of measures the same as mentioned earlier) (Ministry of Justice, MHLW, Related ministries)
5. Consider utilizing any know-how to develop human resources who can help communication between medical staffs and foreigners to support the medical treatment of foreign residents of Japanese descent. (METI)

[8] Increase the coverage by social insurance and national health insurance, etc.

1. Continue to instruct business establishments employing foreigners to be covered by social insurance, and have the leaflets encouraging subscription to the social insurance system distributed at regional immigration offices of the Ministry of Justice to the foreigners found not to be covered by the social insurance, when they are applying for a change to their resident status or renewal of resident period, so that the application of social insurance may be promoted. (MHLW)

(5) Others

[1] Encourage local governments to implement multicultural coexistence on their own initiative

1. Continue to disseminate the measures required to encourage local governments to implement multicultural coexistence on their own initiative, such as informing the "Plan for Multicultural Coexistence in Local Communities" created in March, 2006, in various meetings. (MIC)
2. Provide useful information like advanced policies for local governments to encourage them to implement multicultural coexistence on their own initiative. (MIC)

[2] Disseminate the necessity and significance of accepting foreign residents of Japanese descent into society

1. Improve the environment whereby foreign residents of Japanese descent can be actively accepted into Japanese society by publishing the results of community projects undertaken by local governments with large communities of foreign residents and the results of the activities of NPOs and companies on the "Portal Site on Policies for Foreign Residents", and promote the measures to help every citizen understand more deeply the necessity and significance of accepting foreign residents of Japanese descent into Japanese society. (A part of measures the same as mentioned earlier) (Cabinet Office, Related ministries)

[3] Enhance cooperation with the embassies in Japan, etc.

1. Enhance cooperation with Embassy of Brazil and Embassy of Peru, etc., by exchanging information with them due to cooperation being important for supporting foreign residents of Japanese descent, most of whom are Brazilians and Peruvians. (Cabinet Office, Related ministries)

3. System for implementation

(1) Implement the measures included in the Action Plan also taking into consideration the start of the Basic Resident Registration System on foreign residents (slated for the summer in 2012).

(2) Get the executive board of the Council for the Promotion of Measures for Foreign Residents of Japanese descent to follow up on the progress of each measures implemented as required.

(3) Also, implement the measures while actively maintaining cooperation with local governments, NPOs and other supporting organizations and utilize the ideas of the local governments, etc.

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The government of Japan released the "Immediate (Short-Term) Support Measures for Foreign Residents in Japan" on January 30, 2009, which contains support measures for education and employment of foreign residents in Japan, including those of Japanese descent, who are facing difficulties in leading their lives in Japan using the Japanese language.

At the same time, considering the persistent and considerable impact of economic downturn on foreign residents, the government has developed an improved set of measures for foreign residents in Japan concurrently with the creation of the policy package to address economic crisis of the entire government.

The government intends to enhance supports for foreign residents in Japan through prompt implementation of additional measures, while undertaking various ongoing measures.

(Note: The symbol * indicates the items carried out or added after the release of the immediate measures of January 30.)

1. Educational Measures

Enrollment support will continue to be implemented for foreign school children who have difficulties in continuing their studies for financial reasons

(1) Enrollment support, etc., through "Rainbow Bridge Classroom" (provisional) (Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology: MEXT) (*)

Japanese language lessons will be offered to Brazilian children, etc., by setting up "Rainbow Bridge Classrooms" (provisional) in the cities with a high concentration of foreign population, etc.

• Japanese language lessons and study support, etc., to facilitate smooth enrollment to appropriate public schools (possible to admit children enrolled in Brazilian schools in Japan, etc.)
• Promotion of exchange between the Brazilian community, etc., and local society, particularly among children, etc.

(2) Assistance to children who wish to enroll in public schools (MEXT)

(a) The following efforts will continue through the utilization of "The Projects for Further Acceptance of Japanese Children Returning from Overseas and Foreign Children to Public Schools":

• Instruction for foreign children through bilingual or multilingual support staff;
• Creation of preparatory classes for facilitation of school enrollment;
• Designation of hub (center) schools for foreign student enrollment; and
• Appointing relevant staff from local NPOs or voluntary organizations as "school promoters" who approach foreign families with children not attending schools.

(b) In order to improve Japanese language lessons for foreign students, including "visiting enrollment," the full number of teachers will be increased and allocation of part-time teachers will be supported as part of a project to utilize external human resources, such as retired teachers.

(c) Efforts will be made, as opportunities arise, to inform his or her parents/guardians of a foreign school-aged child or student who is deemed to be unable to be enrolled in a school due to economic reasons, that school expense subsidies (school supplies, school provided lunch, etc) provided by local governments is available.

(d) The boards of education will be informed about the following matters (*):

• Public schools enrolling foreign students will provide appropriate Japanese language lessons and adaptation guidance by setting up Japanese language lesson classes, etc.;
• Foreign students, who stop schooling by leaving their international schools (Gaikokujin Gakko), will be temporally admitted to schools by giving them an opportunity for visiting enrollment at the Japanese language lessons set up in public schools. Measures will also be taken to transfer of students to regular schools at an appropriate timing; and
• Each school has discretion to admit students to grades appropriate for their age, or temporally or officially admit them to lower grades upon making appropriate judgment of academic aptitude and Japanese proficiency of the foreign students.

(3) Measures for foreign students not attending schools (MEXT) (*)

Information will be provided to the prefectural and municipal boards of education on the availability of the following responses to cases where foreign students enrolled in public schools are not attending the schools:

• Admission to educational support centers in accordance with the conditions of educational support centers (adaptation guidance class); and
• Provision of education by designing special education curriculum with due consideration to the conditions of students (including foreign students) not attending schools.

(4) Enrollment support for students attending Brazilian schools in Japan, etc.

(a) Projects by local governments for enrollment support, will be financially assisted through local allocation tax grants. (Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications: MIC):

• (E.g.)
• Japanese language lessons, study guidance, health check-ups
• Subsidy for tuition reduction
• Setting up of counseling contacts, web-sites, etc.

(b) Surveys and studies on the promotion of education for foreign students, including situations surrounding Brazilian schools in Japan, etc. will continue. (MEXT)

(c) Approaches to each prefectural governments will be taken to promote accreditation of Brazilian schools in Japan, etc. as quasi-school corporations or miscellaneous schools. (MEXT) (*)

(5) Creating "places" for children (MEXT)

(a) Applying the framework of model projects in "Projects for Promoting After-school Classrooms for Children", space for children to gather will be prepared to implement additional support, such as Japanese language lessons, lessons for fitting into the Japanese way of life, study support.

(b) Expand the establishment of the Japanese language class through the use of the "Projects for Teaching the Japanese Language to Foreigners as Residents, and continue providing Japanese language lessons to children and their parents/guardians." (Note that this project will coordinate with vocational training with due consideration to the Japanese proficiency level of foreign residents.)

(6) Other support

(a) Through the use of "Emergency Job Creation Program," employment support will continue for personnel associated with Japanese language lessons, schooling assistance/coordination, and instructions at educational support centers (adaptation guidance class). (MEXT, Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare: MHLW)

(b) Support will be provided by sending former JICA volunteers, not only to Japanese language courses for reemployment of people of Japanese descent but also to Japanese language training and supplementary lessons for children which are conducted by local governments, local international associations, and NPOs.

Support will also be provided for activities of former JICA volunteers who implement these Japanese language courses, etc. (Ministry of Foreign Affairs: MOFA) (*)

(c) JICA will support a part of the "Teacher Training Program" for teachers of Brazilian schools in Japan, which is being planned by the government of Brazil. (MOFA) (*)

2. Employment Measures

Employment and maintenance/creation of jobs for foreign residents will continue to be reinforced. Simultaneously, seminars and vocational training provided for foreign residents will be enhanced.

(1) Employment assistance (MHLW)

In order to support foreign residents experiencing severe conditions for re-employment due to being unfamiliar with the Japanese language or Japanese employment practices, to smoothly move on to new employment, the following efforts to enhance flexible counseling and support systems will be made: to increase the number of interpreters and counselors in Job Placement Centers (Hello Work) and to set up one-stop counseling desks by collaborating with local governments mainly in areas with many foreigners of Japanese descent, and to establish counseling and assistance centers specially for foreign residents in regions with an extremely high number of people of Japanese descent.

(2) Support for job creation, etc (Cabinet Office, MHLW)

Support will be provided for implementation of projects in local governments by the "Emergency Job Creation Program" and the "Emergency Subsidy for Local Revitalization/Livelihood Support" to create employment and job opportunities for workers, including foreign residents, who were compelled to leave their jobs.

Furthermore, the number of participants accepted for training programs for displaced workers, including foreign residents, will be widely expanded and vocational training for job fields, like nursing care (in which job growth is anticipated), will be enhanced.

In addition, support will be provided to implement local projects by the use of "Emergency Subsidy for Local Revitalization/Economic Measures (provisional)." (*)

(3) Reinforcement of Training Programs for Foreign Residents (MHLW)

"Employment Preparation Training" will upgrade skills of foreign residents, including Japanese language skills.

Vocational training with due consideration to Japanese proficiency level, etc., of foreign residents will be promoted through coordination with Japanese education projects for "foreigners as Residents" as well as expansion of implementing areas, etc.

(4) Support based on emergency employment measures, etc. (MHLW) (*)

With respect to emergency employment measures included in the economic package, various projects will be promoted, including vocational training, support for reemployment, and livelihood support, through, for example, the use of the "Emergency Fund for Human Resources Development/Employment Support" (provisional).

Also, workers, foreign residents and employers are encouraged to actively use the following measures:

• Extension of by up to 60 days of the eligibility period for unemployment insurance benefits for people having difficulty in finding a new job; and
• Employment Adjustment Subsidy (for employers)

(5) Other support (MOFA) (*)

JICA will provide Japanese language training and training/internship at training organizations for people of Japanese descent who are interested in nursing care work as support leading to employment promotion after returning home, in addition to ensuring immediate livelihood.

3. Housing Measures

Efforts will continue to ensure stable housing after job displacement for job displaced foreign resident workers and their families.

(1) Utilization of Public Rental Housing (Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism: MLIT)

(a) Efforts to admit foreigners with status of residence to publicly-operated housing as Japanese nationals will be further promoted.

(b) In order to secure stable housing for those displaced workers compelled to leave employers' housing, available publicly-operated housing of local governments will be utilized by promoting simplification of application procedures to allow tenants other than qualified tenants, such as young single tenants, to move into publicly-operated housing.

(2) Supporting Acceptance to Private Rental Housing (MLIT)

(a) Efforts to disseminate and promote "Trusted Rental Housing Project" in which registration system of private rental housing willing to accept foreigners is developed, etc., will be made.

(b) Liability guarantees for rental arrears in rental housing accepting foreign resident households, including those who left work, will be covered by funds established by the national government.

(c) Efforts to disseminate and promote "Guidelines for Smooth Acceptance of Foreign Residents into Private Rental Housings" and translation of standardized rental contract forms into appropriate languages will be made.

(d) Independent efforts of local governments, such as measures for securing stable housing for displaced workers by using available housing in private rental housing, will be supported through the framework of Regional Housing Grants, including the expansion of preferential measures.

4. Disaster Prevention/Crime Prevention Measures

Efforts will be made to increase awareness about disaster/crime prevention in the local community by promoting disaster/crime prevention measures for foreign residents.

(1) Promotion of disaster prevention measures, etc., for foreign residents (MIC) (*)

Local governments have been informed about the promotion of disaster prevention measures for foreign residents, which include dissemination of disaster prevention knowledge in cooperation with volunteer organizations, etc., and through disaster prevention education/training, dissemination of multilingual disaster-related information and understanding of needs of disaster affected foreign residents in evacuation centers., to encourage foreign residents to use such information.

(2) Promotion of crime prevention/traffic safety education, etc., for foreign residents (National Police Agency)

The police of each prefecture are undertaking crime prevention education and traffic safety education, etc., with the purpose of preventing foreign residents from becoming a crime victim. Based on the local conditions, these measures will be promoted in the future.

5. Support for Voluntary Repatriation

Efforts for smooth and voluntary repatriation will continue to be made.

(1) Requests to home countries (MOFA)

MOFA will continue to make requests to the governments of foreign residents' home countries to provide assistance for their repatriation.

(2) Request to industries (Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry: METI)

METI will continue to exchange opinions with industries and request to provide assistance to foreign residents concerning smooth repatriation.

(3) Requests to Airlines (MLIT)

When necessary, approaches will be made to airlines to secure flights back home.

(4) Implementation of repatriation support project for job displaced people of Japanese descent (MHLW) (*)

Repatriation grants will be provided to displaced people of Japanese descent and their families if they wish to return to their home countries.

6. Provision of Information -Domestic and International

Necessary information will be provided domestically and internationally.

(1) Establishment of a portal site (Cabinet Office, Ministries concerned)

A user-friendly portal site will be further improved to enable foreign residents to grasp overall necessary information. This portal site, which will continue to support provision of information provided by local governments or organizations concerned, will provide various life-related information such as education, employment, welfare, and housing as well as administrative procedures related to immigration and visa status

(2) Provision of Various Multilingual Information (Ministries concerned)

Providing necessary information for foreign residents in appropriate languages will continue to be promoted.

(3) Enhancement of counseling contacts

(a) The number of counseling staff in the Immigration Information Center at each of the immigration bureaus will be increased. In coordination with the local governments of areas which have high concentrations of foreign residents, establishment of one-stop information desks will be promoted in order to provide advice and information related to immigration procedures and life in Japan. (Ministry of Justice) (*)

(b) Flexible counseling and support systems will be enhanced focusing on regions with a large number of foreign residents of Japanese descent, by increasing the number of interpreters and counselors in Job Placement Centers (Hello Work) and setting up one-stop information desks by collaborating with local governments. (mentioned above) (MHLW)

(c) JICA will dispatch people of Japanese descent to local governments which have insufficient number of counselors to strength the counseling function. (MOFA) (*)

(4) Holding of workshops on social integration (MOFA) (*)

With an aim to contribute to the development of case workers, who would serve as a bridge between foreign residents and local citizens through precedent case studies in other countries and successful cases in Japan, workshops will be held for responsible officers of local governments and working-level staff members, such as concerned personnel of NGOs, by inviting academic experts from both within and outside the country.

(5) Overseas publicity (MOFA, Ministries concerned)

Further efforts to disseminate current information concerning the economic and employment situation in Japan will be made through diplomatic establishments abroad, web-sites, etc.

7.Development of Promotional Framework

Holding of Council for the Promotion of Measures for Foreign Residents (Cabinet Office, related Ministries and Agencies) (*) The Council for the Promotion of Measures for Foreign Residents will be established, comprising the Minister of State and bureau directors of concerned ministries and agencies to further promote measures for foreign residents in concerted efforts of each ministry and agency.

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The global financial and capital markets have been experiencing a "once in a century" crisis, accompanied by a world economic downturn. This has had a serious influence in various aspects for foreign residents in Japan, including those of Japanese descent, who are having difficulties in leading their daily lives in Japanese language, such as education, employment.

In view of the above situation, the Government of Japan has established an "Office for the Coordination of Policies on Foreign Residents" in the Cabinet Office as of January 9, 2009, to take the necessary measures promptly, with the collaboration of ministries concerned, to promote implementation for the support of local governments. The immediate (short-term) support measures are therefore formulated.

Hereafter, these support measures, together with various existing measures, will be shortly implemented.

1. Educational Measures

For foreign school children who have difficulties in continuing their studies in their international schools (Gaikokujin gakkou) for financial reasons, smooth enrollment to appropriate Japanese public schools is ensured. Also various projects such as the creation of places for such children are promoted.

(1) Assistance to children who wish to enroll in public schools (Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology: MEXT)

Additional support is provided to the local governments, to which "The Projects for Further Acceptance of Japanese Children Returning from Overseas and Foreign Children to Public Schools" is currently applied, for the purpose of

a) promoting school enrollment by additional staffing for counseling in boards of education

b) creation of preparatory classes for facilitation of school enrollment

c) employment of bilingual or multilingual support staff

Further efforts will be made to inform his or her parents/guardians of a foreign school-aged child or student who is deemed to be unable to be enrolled in a school due to economic reasons, that school expense subsidies (school supplies, school provided lunch, etc) provided by local governments is available.

(2) Creating "places" for children (MEXT)

Applying the framework of model projects in "Projects for Promoting After-school Classrooms for Children", space for children to gather will be prepared to implement additional support, such as Japanese language lessons, lessons for fitting into the Japanese way of life, study support.

In addition, "Projects for Teaching the Japanese Language to Foreigners as Residents" will be applied to set up additional Japanese language classes for children and their parents.

(3) Enrollment Support for Children (Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications: MIC)

Projects by local governments for enrollment support, will be financially assisted through local allocation tax grants.

(Eg.)
* Japanese language lessons, study assistance, health check-ups
* Subsidy for tuition reduction
* Setting up counseling contacts, web-sites, etc.

(4) Other Support (MEXT, Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare: MHLW)

Efforts to notify local governments that "Projects to Extend Japanese Language Education and Life Assistance in Communities and Schools for Foreign Residents and Their Children" are recommended examples of support stipulated in the "Emergency Job Creation Program" and to encourage prefectural boards of education and other organizations concerned to take advantage of this scheme will be done.

2. Employment Measures

Employment and maintenance/creation of jobs for foreign residents will be reinforced. Simultaneously, seminars and vocational training provided for foreign residents will be enhanced.

(1) Employment Assistance (MHLW)

In order to support foreign residents experiencing severe conditions for re-employment due to being unfamiliar with the Japanese language or Japanese employment practices, to smoothly move on to new employment, the following efforts to enhance counseling and support systems will be made: to increase the number of interpreters and counselors in Job Placement Centers (Hello Work) and to set up one-stop counseling desks by collaborating with local governments mainly in areas with many foreigners of Japanese descent, and to establish counseling and assistance centers specially for foreign residents in regions with an extremely high number of people of Japanese descent.

(2) Support for Job Creation, etc. (Cabinet Office, MHLW)

To create employment and job opportunities for workers, including foreign residents, who were compelled to leave their jobs, the "Emergency Job Creation Program" was formulated in the 2nd Supplemental Budget for FY2008. Considerate allocation is given to foreign residents in this project. Implementation of various undertakings in local governments is also supported by the "Emergency Subsidy for Local Revitalization/Livelihood Support".

Furthermore, the number of participants accepted for training programs for displaced workers, including foreign residents, will be widely expanded and vocational training for job fields, like nursing care (in which job growth is anticipated), will be enhanced.

(3) Reinforcement of Training Programs for Foreign Residents (MHLW)

"Employment Preparation Training", a project provided under the Budget for FY2009, will upgrade skills of foreign residents, including Japanese language skills.

In addition, with the expansion of regions implementing vocational training, vocational training adjusted to the level of participating foreign residents, including Japanese language skills, will be promoted.

(4) Financial Support for Emergency Measures Undertaken by Local Governments (MIC)

Temporary emergency employment measures for displaced foreign resident workers undertaken by local governments, based on the economic stimulus package: "Emergency Measures for Livelihood Protection", will be subsidized by local allocation tax grants.

(5) Other Support (MHLW)

Assistance for re-employment, various projects for job maintenance, and support measures for securing housing, which were included in the 1st and 2nd Supplemental Budget for FY2008 and the Budget for FY2009, will be applied for employment measures.

3. Housing Measures

Efforts will be made to secure stable housing after job displacement for job displaced foreign resident workers and their families.

(1) Utilization of Public Rental Housing (Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism: MLIT)

a) Efforts to admit foreigners with status of residence to publicly-operated housing as Japanese nationals will be further promoted.

b) n order to secure stable housing for those displaced workers compelled to leave employers' housing, available publicly-operated housing of local governments will be utilized by promoting simplification of application procedures to allow tenants other than qualified tenants, such as young single tenants, to move into publicly-operated housing.

(2) Supporting Acceptance to Private Rental Housing (MLIT)

a) Efforts to disseminate and promote "Trusted Rental Housing Project" in which registration system of private rental housing willing to accept foreigners is developed, etc., will be made.

b) Liability guarantees for rental arrears in rental housing accepting foreign resident households will be covered by funds established by the national government.

c) Efforts to disseminate and promote "Guidelines for Smooth Acceptance of Foreign Residents into Private Rental Housings" and translation of standardized rental contract forms into appropriate languages will be made.

d) Independent efforts of local governments, such as measures for securing stable housing for displaced workers by using available housing in private rental housing will be supported by applying the framework of Regional Housing Grants.

(3) Financial Assistance for Emergency Measures Taken by Local Governments (MIC)

Based on the economic stimulus package: "Emergency Measures for Livelihood Protection" undertaken by local governments, temporary emergency employment measures for displaced foreign resident workers will be subsidized by local allocation tax grants.

4. Support for Voluntary Repatriation

Efforts for smooth and voluntary repatriation will be made.

(1) Requests to home countries (Ministry of Foreign Affairs: MOFA)

MOFA will make requests to the governments of foreign residents' home countries to provide assistance for their repatriation.

(2) Requests to Industries (Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry: METI)

METI will exchange opinions with industries and request to provide assistance concerning smooth repatriation.

(3) Requests to Airlines (MLIT)

When necessary, approaches will be made to airlines to secure flights back home.

5. Provision of Information -Domestic and International

Necessary information will be provided domestically and internationally.

(1) Establishment of a Portal Site (Cabinet Office, Ministries concerned)

A user-friendly portal site will be established which will enable foreign residents to grasp overall necessary information. This portal site, which will support provision of information provided by local governments or organizations concerned, will provide various life-related information such as education, employment, welfare, and housing as well as administrative procedures related to immigration and visa status.

(2) Provision of Various Multilingual Information (Ministries concerned)

Providing necessary information for foreign residents in appropriate languages will further be promoted.

(3) Enhancement of Counseling Contacts (Ministry of Justice, MHLW)

The number of counseling staff in the Immigration Information Center at each of the immigration bureaus will be increased. In coordination with the local governments of areas which have high concentrations of foreign residents, one-stop information desks will be set up in order to provide advice and information related to immigration procedures and life in Japan.

Counseling and support systems will be enhanced focusing on regions with a large number of foreign residents of Japanese descent, by increasing the number of interpreters and counselors in Job Placement Centers (Hello Work) and setting up one-stop information desks by collaborating with local governments. (mentioned above)

(4) Overseas Publicity (MOFA, Ministries concerned)

Further efforts to disseminate current information concerning the economic and employment situation in Japan will be made through diplomatic establishments abroad, web-sites, etc.

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