Foreign hires bring hope for improved workplaces

Japanese businesspeople hope that the hiring of non-Japanese employees will lead to the introduction of the merit system, according to a survey released Monday.

Nearly half of 500 respondents expressed that hope in a poll conducted by Meiji Life Insurance Co. in February in the Tokyo metropolitan area. About 40 percent said they want foreign employees to help improve Japan's corporate culture and allow a liberal atmosphere to prevail.

Other common replies reflected anticipations that foreign staff would provide an "advantage in international business" and ensure "less gender discrimination" in the office.

In the survey, businesspeople aged between 20 and 60 answered the multiple-choice question of what to anticipate from an increase in foreign workers.