Ministers yesterday were unable to contain their mirth as they announced the formation of a new body to oversee the "Foreign Trainee" program, following allegations of exploitation by Japanese companies employing "trainees" from China and south-east Asia.
'We're very concerned about the health and well-being of the trainees,' said Industry Ministry spokesman Kenta Yamauchi, stifling giggles behind both hands. 'We want to ensure they're being treated fairlypppfffft - excuse me - so we're committed to stamping out any abusive practices.'
Industry Liaison Officer Asaki Furugawa added, 'We absolutely will not tolerate... I'm sorry... will not tolerate any exploitation of foreign trainees.' Wiping away tears of laughter, he continued, 'We aim to set up a regulator with wide-ranging powers of inspection and sanction,' then had to pause to compose himself, before concluding, 'some time in the next twenty years oh this is priceless!'
According to the government's proposal, companies which refuse inspection, or are found to be engaged in exploitative practices, could be hit by fines of up to a thousand yen ($10). Individuals found to have authorized such practices will face prison sentences of between six and twelve minutes, suspended for a million years.
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