With the proposal, the government hopes to proceed with FTA talks with Thailand at the end of the month, the sources said.

The move may help secure greater access to the nation's labor market for foreigners as Japan gears up for FTA talks with other nations, they said. Tokyo accepts Thai cooks with at least 10 years of experience. The Justice Ministry is considering shortening this period by bringing it in line with Thai standards to a minimum of around five years, the sources said.

Regarding Thai masseurs, who are barred from working in Japan, the ministry is thinking about accepting them on a limited basis by only allowing them to work for relaxation, not treatment, purposes, they said.

The Japan Times Weekly: Feb. 19, 2005
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