Those applying for the new visas are mainly expected from nine Asian countries — Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Thailand, the Philippines and Vietnam — and they will be able to work in 14 industrial sectors, including construction, the restaurant business, farming and nursing care.

Under the new visa system, foreign workers aged 18 or older will be eligible to apply for two new resident statuses — the No. 1 type for people who will engage in work that requires a certain level of knowledge and experience, and the No. 2 type for work that requires higher skill levels. Under a basic policy on the new visa system approved by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s Cabinet the same day, the government pledges to offer “proper” working conditions for foreign workers in terms of pay, working hours and safety.