1. Transformation of Immigration Policy in Europe
1.1 From Borders to Workplaces — A Shift in the Focus of Control
In Europe, immigration control has been shifting from the traditional “restriction at the border” to “strict regulation within the workplace” once migrants have already entered.(From borders to workplaces: How Europe is reinventing immigration control 2025-08-28 InfoMigrants) For instance, Austria, Germany, Ireland, and the UK have introduced various employment restrictions, such as:
- Labor market tests requiring employers to prove no local workers are available before hiring migrants.
- High wage and qualification thresholds.
- Tying work permits to specific employers, limiting labor mobility.
- Mandatory waiting periods (months to a year) before asylum seekers can work.
While these measures appear more flexible than outright border closures, they in fact substantially limit migrants’ economic activity and freedom of choice in employment.
1.2 Growing Selectivity and Protectionism
Such “Migrant Labour Market Competition Measures (MCM)” are driven largely by political pressure to shield local workers from perceived job competition. At the same time, the European Union (EU) plays a balancing role by setting minimum standards—such as wage levels and waiting periods—to prevent excessive restrictions by member states.
This creates a policy duality: welcoming highly skilled migrants while tightening restrictions on general labor migrants—a two-tier system that reflects both economic necessity and political constraints.
2. Relevance to Japan
2.1 Japan’s Current Migration and Employment Policies
Japan, facing population decline and rapid aging, has been expanding the intake of foreign workers in sectors like caregiving and construction. The government utilizes categories such as “Specified Skilled Worker,” “Technical Intern,” and “Student visa” to fill labor shortages.
Although Japan does not yet employ Europe’s explicit workplace-based filtering systems, its visa frameworks already include restrictions on occupation, employers, and mobility—similar in effect to European MCM.
2.2 Lessons for Japan from Europe’s Approach
(1) Balancing Labor Market Needs and Social Concerns
Europe’s MCM systems aim to reconcile the demand for migrant labor with the political imperative of protecting local workers. Japan faces a similar dilemma. For example, in caregiving, where shortages are severe, rules on wage levels or temporary employer restrictions could mitigate social resistance while ensuring necessary recruitment.
(2) Institutionalizing “Minimum Rights Guarantees”
The EU ensures migrants have certain rights, even under restrictive regimes, preventing excessive national control. Japan lacks such institutional safeguards. Establishing minimum labor rights and transparent qualification requirements could strengthen trust in its migration system.
(3) Managing the Two-Tier System Responsibly
Europe openly separates policies for highly skilled migrants and general labor migrants. Japan is also attracting highly skilled workers while relying on lower-wage migrants under Specified Skills and Technical Intern schemes. Drawing from Europe, Japan should protect rights and improve transparency for lower-tier migrants to prevent exploitation and social backlash.
(4) Political Stability through Clear and Accountable Rules
In Europe, MCMs serve as political tools to maintain social stability amid migration pressures. Similarly, Japan could adopt workplace-centered restrictions paired with transparency and accountability mechanisms to secure social acceptance and ensure policy continuity.
3. Conclusion: Toward a Multi-layered Japanese Strategy
Europe’s shift “from borders to workplaces” reflects a pragmatic attempt to reconcile labor demand with domestic political pressure. For Japan, this approach suggests a pathway beyond mere entry restrictions toward multi-layered governance:
- Clear workplace criteria — wages, skills, waiting periods — to reduce friction with locals.
- Legal guarantees of minimum rights to protect migrants and prevent excessive employer control.
- Balanced design between high-skilled and general labor migrants, with strong protections for the latter.
- Institutional mechanisms for accountability and policy review, ensuring stability and public trust.
By learning from Europe’s evolving policies, Japan can build a migration framework that not only fills demographic and economic gaps but also safeguards rights and sustains political and social legitimacy.