Immigration Challenges in Japan and Germany

Abstract

With its stubborn denial of immigration except for the highly qualified, Japan has long been considered a strange outlier among the rich nations. However, it is quite ironic that these days all other rich countries have adopted this mantra: let in the best and the brightest, keep out the unqualified. All over Europe there is talk that "we got the wrong migrants" (Sarkozy). Germany and other countries have developed plans to attract specialists, and to become less attractive for other immigrants. No other country is as effective in deportation as is Japan. The widely praised point systems, particularly in Canada and Australia, are clearly efficient in bringing in highly qualified people but not in placing them into highly qualified jobs. High percentages of qualified immigrants are working below qualification in all countries, and thus do not help countries to become more competitive. In all OECD countries, highly qualified immigrants suffer from "brain waste". Consequently, Germany and Japan, confronted by particular demographic challenges, should open up their labor markets, set minimum wage standards for immigrants, start large-scale student immigration schemes, and do away with impediments and red tape in both public and private life.