The Japanese government is expected to revise plans for accepting foreign workers under a specified skills program in light of economic changes due to the coronavirus pandemic. It plans to accept more people in food and beverage manufacturing while reducing numbers for accommodation and restaurant services.

A new visa status for specified skilled workers was created three years ago to address Japan's labor shortages. The specified skilled worker No.1 category covers 12 fields, such as nursing care and construction. The maximum total number of workers is set at more than 340,000 over five years.

The government now plans to revise plans for each sector, while maintaining the total cap number. It cites the impact of the pandemic.

The plan includes reducing the number for the food service industry by over 20,000 to about 30,000, and that for the accommodation sector by over 10,000 to about 10,000.

The figure for the manufacture of food and beverages is expected to be raised by more than 50,000 to about 90,000, reflecting rising demand for prepared meals and frozen food.

The number for the manufacturing sector is set to be increased by nearly 20,000 to about 50,000 due to a rise in demand for foreign workers on the back of globally growing demand for semiconductors and other factors.

The government plans to approve the changes at a Cabinet meeting by the end of the month.