EXCLUSIVE: Japan to Aid Regional Human Resources Development

Tokyo, July 19 (Jiji Press)–Japan is considering starting a project in fiscal 2027 to financially support vocational schools engaged in human resources development for local essential services, including medical and elderly care and construction, Jiji Press has learned. The aid, envisioned by the education ministry, would be provided through prefectural governments. The ministry expects that prefectures will assess human resource needs in various industries and support local vocational schools that train students for sectors suffering personnel shortages. The ministry plans to include related expenses in its upcoming budget request for the year, which will start next April. Vocational schools offer practical education for high school graduates and others. According to the ministry, graduates of vocational schools tend to find jobs locally at higher rates than graduates of universities in the same region. Vocational school graduates are therefore viewed as promising as personnel supporting local industries. Demand is very strong for graduates with special skills, such as those who have been trained in artificial intelligence and digital technologies, especially in rural areas where working-age populations are decreasing fast. Under the new project, prefectural governments, which have authority over local vocational schools, will research the supply and demand of human resources for local essential services and growing industries in cooperation with local industries, municipalities and vocational schools. The ministry envisions that it would provide funds through prefectural governments to help cover the costs necessary for vocational schools to develop new educational programs based on the needs for human resources identified through the research. The ministry is also considering institutional revisions to make it easier for vocational schools to increase remote classes using online tools. This measure is aimed at creating an environment in which working adults seeking reskilling and people living far from schools can study more easily. END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]