Japan can't locate 12,000 foreign workers in troubled intern program

TOKYO -- Japan's government has been unable to track down about 12,000 foreign trainees who entered the country under its often-criticized technical internship program, Nikkei has learned, suggesting that many have abandoned their jobs to find other work illegally.

Over 300,000 foreign workers were admitted to Japan under the program. Because the rules do not allow job changes, those who are dissatisfied with the jobs or their pay often leave and find other employment illegally. This has prompted calls for an easing of the restrictions.