TSU, MIE PREF. 每 The Mie Prefectural Government is considering stopping hiring foreign nationals in order to protect confidential information, officials said Wednesday.
Prefectural officials cited concerns over leaks involving agricultural production information and residents＊ personal data, particularly in light of China＊s national intelligence law, which requires Chinese citizens to cooperate with intelligence agencies.
The prefecture will conduct a survey in late January to gather opinions from local residents before making a final decision on the matter.
The prefectural government scrapped the nationality requirement for all job categories except for some in fiscal 1999 to encourage foreign nationals to participate in society. Currently, 44 out of 49 occupations, including positions in the governor＊s department, are open to foreign nationals.
The prefecture has hired nine foreign nationals, such as doctors and nurses, with one currently employed in the medical profession. It plans to retain this employee even if a nationality requirement is reestablished.
There are 12 prefectures in Japan, including Mie, in which foreign nationals currently can take the employment examination for public sector positions, according to the Mie government.
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