Japan is easing its regulations on permanent resident status for foreigners to attract people with special work skills. The upper house of the Japanese parliament earlier this month passed a law lowering the amount of time a foreign worker must stay in the country to be eligible for permanent resident status from 10 years to three years. The change is aimed at attracting skilled workers in information technology and engineering, company managers, medical technicians, scientists and researchers. The immigrants' spouses will also be allowed to work and bring their parents and housekeepers with them to Japan.
