Demonstrates how the expansion of the skilled migrants category creates inequality among international graduates in Japan, indicating systemic disparities.
Key Points
This study examines how the inclusion of individuals with varying skill levels into the ‘skilled migrants’ category contributes to multi-layered inequality.
Interviews with foreign graduates working in Japan
Analysis of skilled migration visa issuance
Examination of the relationship between skill levels and legal rights
Different skill profiles shape labour market inequality, with lower-skilled individuals facing increased disadvantages.
Legal rights stratification is affected by bureaucratic practices that determine residence periods based on economic potential.
Visa issuance often favors workers in lower-wage sectors, contributing to informal status and unintended policy outcomes.