TOKYO -- A new law has come into force in Japan, targeting on-the-job trainees and designed to prevent human right abuses, including unlawfully insisting that trainees work excessive hours. The government hopes the law will ensure the smooth operation of Japan's on-the-job training system for foreign trainees, at a time when foreign workers are expected to help ease the country's prolonged labor crunch.
A newly setup monitoring body will screen businesses seeking to accept foreign trainees, and authorize their training plans. In addition, the law sets out penalties for workplaces committing human rights abuses against such trainees, including the use of violence and threats.
