'Modern Slavery' Controversy Sparks Debate on SNS Over Foreign Worker Acceptance
The term 'modern slavery' has trended on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), igniting a fierce debate over Japan's foreign worker acceptance policies and domestic labor environment. A particular remark attributed to celebrity Fifi—'The idea of filling Japan's labor shortages with foreign workers because Japanese workers cannot be recruited is a concept of modern slavery'—has resonated widely, dominating many related posts. One of the triggers for this discussion was Fifi's strong rebuttal to Toru Hashimoto's view on accepting foreign workers, who reportedly stated, 'They receive low wages because they are seen simply as laborers.' Many users have expressed agreement with Fifi's phrase, 'a concept of modern slavery,' with comments like 'accurate description' and 'hit the nail on the head.' Posts on X frequently denounce the current Technical Intern Training Program as 'modern slavery' or 'modern sl...