Japan's controversial 30-year-old trainee program, foreign technical trainee programme, was initially aimed to transfer knowledge and skills to developing countries. However, it has been used as a cover for companies seeking to import cheap labor from abroad as the working-age population in Japan continues to shrink.

Some trainees reportedly leave their workplaces and become involved in illegal employment, exploitation, precarious living conditions, or even criminal activities. Rather than simply viewing these technical intern trainees as "disappeared" or undocumented residents, critics argue that greater attention should be paid to the system and working conditions that can drive them to leave in the first place.

A new system, known as the Employment for Skill Development Program, is scheduled to replace the Technical Intern Training Programme in April 2027. However, concerns remain that similar problems could persist because restrictions on changing jobs will remain in place to some extent.

As of the end of 2025, approximately 456,000 technical intern trainees were living and working in Japan.