Thursday, May 01, 2008
日本語上手なら入国・滞在で優遇 外務省方針
優遇策により、長期在留希望者の日本語学習熱が高まる効果を狙う。少子化が進むなかで、高い知識や技能を持つ外国人の受け入れが進んでいくことへの期待もある。
具体的には、一定の日本語能力がある外国人の在留期間を、現行の３年から最長で５年に延ばす。また業務経験年数や学歴の要件も緩和する。当面は、通訳や翻訳者、国際線の客室乗務員など、主に日本語を使う専門的な職種を対象とする方針だ。
高村外相は１月に外国人の日本語能力と入国・滞在条件を結びつける考えを表明。日本語ができれば職場や地域社会にとけ込みやすくなるとして「生活の質を高めるために大切だ」と指摘した。その後、外務、法務両省が具体策を検討してきた。
一方、日本語がまったく話せなくても、これまで通り入国を認める。検討していた入国後の日本語学習の義務化は見送るが、学習の機会を増やす環境整備を進める。政府関係者は「日本語能力を条件に外国人を締め出す規制強化ではない」と強調する。
今後は文部科学省や厚生労働省とも協議し、入管法を改正したうえで、来年度からの実施を目指す。日本語能力の判定には国際交流基金の「日本語能力試験」などを利用する方針だ。
日本で原則９０日以上滞在する外国人登録者数は年々増加している。法務省によると０６年末現在で約２０８万５千人で、総人口の約１．６％を占める。（塚本和人）
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Gas prices expected to top 160 yen
That price would exceed the level on March 31, when the "temporary" surcharge expired.
The ruling coalition is expected to reinstate the surcharge on Thursday, a day after it plans to railroad a bill in a second vote in the Lower House to revive the higher tax rate.
In addition, petroleum companies, citing rising crude oil prices, will raise wholesale prices by 3.7 to 7 yen per liter in May.
Industry officials said the nationwide average retail price will rise to about 160 yen toward the end of May, up from 130.6 yen on April 21.
On March 31, the price was 152.9 yen. On that day, the surcharge of 25.1 yen per liter expired after a bill to extend the measure was blocked by the opposition-controlled Upper House.
The price in May would also exceed 155.5 yen set in December, the highest level since the Oil Information Center started a weekly price survey in 1990.
However, the gasoline price is not expected to rise to about 160 yen immediately.
The gasoline tax is levied when the fuel is shipped from refineries of petroleum companies.
Many gas stations are expected to pass on only the rise in wholesale prices to consumers until they run out of inventories from April shipments, which are free from the surcharge.
Still, some retailers may raise prices soon, particularly those eager to recoup losses suffered when they lowered retail prices amid price competition after the surcharge expired.
Nagoya-based Usami Kohyu Corp., which runs about 420 gas stations nationwide, said it will raise gasoline prices by about 30 yen per liter on Thursday.
Observers said rival gas stations may follow suit, pushing up retail price levels.
Nippon Oil Corp., the nation's top oil refiner and distributor, said Monday it will raise wholesale prices of oil products in May by 3.7 yen per liter from the previous month.
Showa Shell Sekiyu KK and Idemitsu Kosan Co. announced plans to raise their wholesale prices by 5.2 yen and 7 yen, respectively. Japan Energy Corp. is also planning an increase by several yen.
Petroleum companies, expecting many consumers to fill up their tanks before the surcharge is revived, have increased supplies to gas stations to meet the demand.(IHT/Asahi: April 30,2008)
