Japan’s immigration system is changing, and the proposed reforms could have significant consequences for foreign workers. From stricter residency requirements to changes in visa renewal fees and permanent residency conditions, it is more important than ever to understand what is happening and what these changes mean for foreign workers.
The General Union Solidarity Committee invites you to join us for “Visa Changes: What Now?”, a hybrid symposium on Sunday, November 29, 2026, featuring speakers: Dennis Tesolat, Simon Cole, and Sunai Naoko.
This symposium will examine recent changes to Japan’s immigration laws, the implications for foreign workers, and what unions can do to support and protect their members.
Two Sessions: Understanding the Changes and Their Impact
Part 1: The Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) Program
The second session will focus on Japan’s Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) program. Sunai Naoko will explain the program and explore its implications for foreign workers, including the challenges and issues that workers and their communities should understand.
Part 2: Recent Changes to Immigration Law
The first session will look at recent changes to Japan’s immigration laws and the guidelines surrounding them. Dennis Tesolat and Simon Cole will discuss what these developments mean for foreign residents and workers, what people should be aware of, and how unions can respond to protect workers’ rights.
The two sessions will be followed by a Q&A session, where participants will have the opportunity to ask questions to the speakers.
Meet the Speakers
Sunai Naoko
Naoko Sunai is a sociologist and lecturer at Gifu University whose research focuses on Vietnamese migrant workers, labour exploitation, and gender issues. She holds a doctorate from Université Laval and is also an active member of a community union, bringing both academic expertise and practical insight into the challenges facing migrant workers in Japan.
Dennis Tesolat
Dennis is the current vice chair of the union and a long time staffer involved in the daily struggles of immigrant workers as an organiser and negotiator. He is Italian-Canadian and came to Japan in 1994. He has experienced immigration issues both as the child of immigrants and now–in Japan–as an immigrant himself.
Simon Cole
Simon Cole is a founding and executive member of the General Union and currently convenes the union’s Solidarity Committee. A British national and permanent resident of Japan, he has extensive experience in union organising and supporting migrant workers in Japan.
Event Details
Visa Changes: What Now?
- Date: Sunday, November 29, 2026
- Time: 14:00–16:30
- Format: Hybrid (in person and Zoom)
- In-person venue: General Union Office, Osaka
- Language: English, with Japanese translation provided
In-person attendance at the General Union office is limited to General Union members and their family members. Everyone else is welcome to participate online via Zoom.
Register Now!
Immigration policy affects all of us. Understanding the changes, sharing information, and organising collectively are essential to protecting the rights and security of all workers in Japan.
REGISTER FOR THE SYMPOSIUM HERE
Revisit Our December 2025 Immigration Seminar
Want to catch up on the proposed immigration changes before attending? In December 2025, we held a seminar examining the government’s proposed reforms to Japan’s immigration system and their potential impact on foreign residents.
Watch the December 2025 seminar on YouTube: