In Kochi, the prefecture is instituting a system to certify local firms that create welcoming, workable, and learn-friendly environments for foreign workers, and 16 firms had earned the 'Excellent Support Provider' status as of August. One 3-star company is Ueda Denki in Kochi City, where Vietnamese trainees comprise five of 21 workers, praised for on-site Japanese classes and materials tailored to interns’ experience in Vietnam; the firm has raised待遇 for experienced interns to Japanese levels, with An, a 28-year-old welding supervisor, aiming to stay long-term. The government will phase out the 1993-era technical intern system by 2024 and replace it by the 'Development and Employment' system in 2027, which allows transfers between workplaces, intensifying the need for fair wages and good workplaces. Population policy experts say Japan is viewed as a preferred long-term employer in Asia but public misunderstanding persists; with skilled worker levels rising and family inclusion possible, communities will need to adapt, and the new regime will require readiness.