Japan to loosen work rules on stranded foreigners

A number of foreigners in Japan, either as students or on other visa statuses, have been stuck in Japan longer than expected due to the coronavirus pandemic. - Bloomberg

TOKYO (Reuters): Japan is loosening regulations on part-time work for foreigners stuck in the country due to the novel coronavirus and having trouble supporting themselves, the government said on Tuesday (Dec 1).

While temporary, the measures -- which take effect from Tuesday -- are a liberalisation of labour curbs on foreigners in an ageing economy suffering from huge shortages of workers but where the ruling party has been reluctant to embrace a full-fledged immigration reform.