Japan's immigration authorities earlier this week proposed expanding the scope of a blue-collar skilled workers visa that effectively allows holders to stay in the country indefinitely in a possible major shift in its foreign labour policy, reports Japan Today. The move comes in response to calls from the business community seeking to secure human resources amid an ongoing labour shortage and will increase the number of sectors that can be upgraded to the Specified Skilled Worker No. 2 status from two to 11. If the proposal at a meeting with the Liberal Democratic Party is approved by the ruling coalition, the cabinet could give the green light as early as June, Japan Today reported citing sources close to the matter.

Currently, skilled workers in construction and shipbuilding can extend their stays by earning the No. 2 status, but the government is considering expanding it to nine more sectors. The No. 2 status allows holders to bring in family members and has no limit on how many times the visa can be renewed.