Ibaraki Prefecture Opens Doors to Non-Japanese Applicants for Clerical Positions

Ibaraki Prefecture to Remove Nationality Requirement for Clerical Positions

The Ibaraki prefectural government has announced that it will no longer require applicants for clerical positions to be Japanese citizens. This policy, which will take effect in fiscal 2026, applies to administrative staff, including those in the governor's office.

The decision to remove the nationality requirement is driven by the growing foreign population in Ibaraki. Officials believe that it is essential to give non-Japanese residents the opportunity to play an active role in the prefectural government.

Non-Japanese applicants who are hired will be expected to use their language skills, knowledge, and experience of living in Japan to support foreign nationals living in the prefecture, secure foreign human resources, and attract inbound visitors. These tasks are primarily performed by clerical staff, hence the policy's focus on this category.

However, non-Japanese individuals will not be allowed to work in positions that involve exercising public authority or participating in the formation of public will that affects the rights and obligations of prefectural residents. Examples of such positions include on-site inspections, waste disposal facility crackdowns, construction permits and licenses, tax notices, and tax payment decisions.

Additionally, foreign nationals will not be allowed to hold managerial positions at or above the level of section chief with decision-making authority, or to serve as the head of a subordinate organization.

The Ibaraki prefectural government notes that the nationality requirement has already been removed for some positions, such as doctors, nurses, and public health nurses. Eleven other prefectures in Japan have also hired clerical and technical staff without regard to nationality.