Japan's Aeon to take on 4,000 skilled foreign workers by fiscal 2030

Retailer to take advantage of March expansion to key work program

Aeon is one of Japan's top retailers, operating supermarkets, malls and other facilities. (Photo by Shigeru Aoki)

RYO ASAYAMA, Nikkei staff writer

June 25, 2024 05:07 JST

TOKYO -- Leading Japanese retailer Aeon will take on 4,000 skilled foreign workers groupwide by fiscal 2030 amid severe labor shortages in Japan's food service sector, Nikkei has learned.

The Aeon group currently employs around 1,500 under Japan's Specified Skilled Worker program, which targets foreign workers with specialized skills in shorthanded industries. They work largely at food-processing plants that supply Aeon supermarkets.