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However, human rights organizations and defectors with knowledge of the situation say that many of these volunteers were coerced into joining the recovery efforts. The regime has a long history of conscripting civilians for labour, often under the threat of punishment.
Supporters argue that a differentiated wage system would ease the burden on industries dependent on foreign workers, particularly in childcare and eldercare, where costs for foreign caregivers often exceed 2 million won per month, making them inaccessible to many families.
The number of foreign children requiring assistance with Japanese language skills has steadily increased in recent years. This trend reflects the broader demographic shift as Japan opens its doors to more foreign workers to address its declining population and labor shortages.