Global Atlanta

The world is here.

The world is here.

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter
  • Topics
    • Business
      • Law
    • Culture
    • Diplomacy
      • Consular Conversations
    • Economic Development
    • Education
    • Trade
  • Regions
    • Africa
      • Ghana
      • Senegal
      • South Africa
    • Americas
      • Argentina
      • Brazil
      • Canada
      • Colombia
      • Costa Rica
      • Cuba
      • Haiti
      • Mexico
    • Asia
      • China
      • India
      • Japan
      • South Korea
    • Europe
      • Belgium
      • France
      • Germany
      • Ireland
      • Netherlands
      • Turkey
      • United Kingdom
    • Middle East – North Africa
      • Israel
    • Southeast Asia
  • Events
  • Directories
    • Consulates and Chambers
    • International Experts in Georgia
    • Our Sponsors
  • Jobs

  • Japan
    • Business
    • Economic Development

Survey: Trump Visa Policy Could Hinder Japanese Investors’ Operations

August 4, 2020 | Trevor Williams

A policy aimed at helping American workers may be keeping Japanese firms from hiring.

More than a third of Japanese investors across the country expect a Trump-administration crackdown on visas through 2020 to affect their ability to operate in the U.S., according to the results of a newly released survey.  

About half of the 961 firms surveyed foresaw no negative impact from the June 24 proclamation suspending the issuance of non-immigrant visas until the end of the year.  

But the Japan External Trade Organization found in its fifth “quick survey” since the pandemic began that 49 percent were either worried about the policy’s effects (35 percent) or could not yet determine its impacts based on the outlined rules (14 percent).  

A total of 308 firms said 1,400 executives could be blocked or hindered from arriving in the U.S., with particular concern shown over the L-1 visa that intracompany cross-border transfers.  

Most foreign executives come to the United States on L-1 visas as they get their companies’ operations up and running; Japanese firms have well-established patterns of handing over management to local professionals after the setup phase.  

Of the 1,400 executives expected to be affected, 1,220 of them (or about 87 percent) were likely to be L-1s, as opposed to just 126 J-1 trainees, 50 H-1B temporary workers and 10 H-2B workers, companies said.  

The outcome represents an ironic twist for a policy ostensibly designed to protect American workers as unemployment rises amid the coronavirus pandemic.  

Some Japanese factories, which overwhelming employ Americans, are stalling production or slowing hiring as a result of their inability to get the right Japanese expatriates over for training or plant setup.  

In sum, the report concludes:  

This measure will delay personnel changes and plans transferring expatriates, as well as hinder relationships with business partners. With delays of transferring researchers and engineers, there is concern this may interfere with production and development.

A sampling of individual company responses showed that the policy could set off a human-resources nightmare, disrupting training programs, hampering customer service, interrupting transfers of capital goods that would boost productivity and fueling increased uncertainty as many companies were just starting to recover.  

More samples of Japanese company responses to the Trump visa ban. Source: JETRO

More worryingly, especially for the more than 30,000 people who work for Japanese firms in Georgia alone, those who experience negative affects expressed concern that “the continuity of their business in the U.S. is now at risk” and that their headquarters might get a poor view of the U.S. business climate. Some 60 percent of companies have already indicated that they have frozen or postponed recruitment plans.  

So far, some 62 percent of companies plan to maintain their current operations in the U.S. through the end of the year, while 22 percent plan reductions. Less than 10 percent remain uncertain, with just 7 percent planning to expand.  

The survey was conducted with help from JETRO’s Atlanta office. Japanese firms in the South, home to many auto suppliers and other manufacturers, led other regions by responses, with 286 taking part in the survey.  

—

Read the full survey results here

Read JETRO Atlanta’s latest newsletter here or contact the office at ama@jetro.go.jp.

Join more than 11,000 subscribers receiving our weekly update and monthly focus newsletters:

Articles Related to Japan

These Are the Foreign Suppliers Already Following Korea’s SK Battery to Georgia

Japanese Auto Supplier to Make Sixth Expansion in Rome

Japan-based Toppan’s Two Georgia Factories Keep Focus on Innovation While Adjusting to New Realities

Japan coverage presented by:

Japan coverage presented by:

More News

  • United States
    • Trade

Commentary: Georgia Companies Should Prioritize International Opportunities for Growth in 2021

  • Japan
  • South Korea
    • Economic Development
    • Manufacturing

These Are the Foreign Suppliers Already Following Korea’s SK Battery to Georgia

  • South Korea
    • Business
    • Economic Development

SK Battery Plant Moving Ahead on Schedule as Ruling Looms in Trade Secrets Case

  • Africa
  • Asia
    • Business
    • Workforce

Refugee Internship Program Brings Skilled Workers to Local Companies

  • Iceland
    • Software

Atlanta’s Aptos Buys Iceland-based Retail Software Firm

Sign Up for Newsletters

Join 10K+ readers receiving daily or weekly updates on the latest international business news in Atlanta.

Latest Global Jobs Around Atlanta

  • Japanese Language Instructor
    Oglethorpe University
  • Consultant
    The German American Chamber of Commerce of the Southern United States, Inc.
  • Operations Manager
    YER USA
  • Director of Integrated Marketing Communications
    Atlanta International School
  • Controller
    The Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International
  • Board Opportunity with Global Paint for Charity
    Global Paint for Charity
  • Trade Commissioner - Information Technologies (IT)
    Government of Canada
  • Trade Commissioner - Automotive & Aerospace
    Government of Canada
Global Atlanta

For more than 20 years, Global Atlanta has been the only publication devoted to tracking Atlanta's rise as a center for international business, education and culture.

The world is here.

Engage

  • About Us
  • Advertise
  • Post a Job
  • Submit an International Event
  • Subscribe to Global Atlanta Newsletters
  • Write for us

Join more than 11,000 readers getting the latest international business news each week

By accessing GlobalAtlanta.com, you agree to the following Terms of Use.

Review Our Privacy Policy

All content © 1993-2020 GlobalAtlanta.com, All Rights Reserved. Grounded Global Media LLC 135 Auburn Avenue NE, Second Floor, Suite 213, Atlanta, Ga., 30303