♪ the philippines is home to a population of over 100 million. the average age here is around

24. but the younger generation suffers from high unemployment rates and low wages. that's why many of them seek work overseas. currently one in ten filipinino citizens works in a foreign country. one nation became especially popular among filipinos a year ago. japan, which is grappling with an acute labor shortage due to the declining birthrate. >> in april 2019, japan introduced a new resident status called the specified skilled worker. it strengthens the acceptance of

workers in industries like nursing care, fisheries, construction and food service. in the first year of the program, up to 47,000 workers were expected to come. filipinos hold high hopes for the new system. but the results haven't been encouraging. in the years since the system was introduced not a single worker has obtained a single worker visa.

this episode follows young filipinos seeking a better life in japan in the years since the introduction of the skilled special worker system. we visited the filipino capital of manila in april 2019 when the specified skilled worker system began. enrollment at japanese language schools has increased in the philippines with morore student from all overer the nation applying. students gathered for a seminar about the new resident status

system.

the specified skilled worker visa can beobtained by passing language and skills tests. expectations were high fofor th system, which gives foreign workers the same benefits as japanese employees. ten months passed as the

students worked towards their goals. but at the same school, where 100 students had joined the classes, the current numbers are just half that. one reason is because the system hadn't fully launched..

to find out why the specified skilled worker system is off to a slow start, we visited the philippine overseas employment administration. this agency manages filipinos working overseas and screens organizations dispatching or accepting foreign workers. since the system covers 14 different industries, the administration was busy with the considerable paperwork.

>> a year after its introduction, the system has yet to commence in the philippines, but students continue all the same, studying japanese in hopes that it will soon be put into action. one school started skills classes specifically for the acquisition of the visa.

this city in laguna province is a drive about an hour from manila. this vocational school boasts a 23-year history. it's always given lessons on japanese technology, mainly from the manufacturing industry. last year it began teaching specific skills in four industries. classes related to the food service industry such as cooking, customer service and hygiene control are especially popular. they help in passing the skills test, bringing students o one sp closer to the new visa.

>> she is seeking to pass the food service industry test. she studied electronics and communication engineering in college, but is considering working in japan due to the difficulty of finding work in the philippines.

>> after five months in the japanese language course, she successfully passed the language course. if she passes the skills test, she'll be able to apply for the visa at long last. her grades are always at the top of the class.

the eight hour day of classes has ended. students are required to live in dormitories to help them concentrate on their studies. around 180 female students reside together and they need to obtain permissionon when leavi school premises. most students are in their 20s. they support each other, living together under strict school rules and moving toward their

dreams. students have free time until the lights go out att 10:00 p.m. she spends most of her extra time studying. on the weekends when there are no classes, she's able to go home. her father always comes to pick her up.

her father works as a taxi driver with this vehicle. she has four siblings. as the youngest child, she has

always been adored by her family. her mother retired from her job at a bookstore three years ago. her father makes around $150 a month from driving taxis. the family is by no means well off, but they all try to support her dream.

on her day off, she does a week o week's worth of laundry. she keeps up her studies even when she's at home.e.

>> the food service industry skills test is just two weeks away. even if she passes the examine, there is still no telling how soon she can obtain the specified skilled worker visa. another way to receive the visa is to apply for it in japan, such as through an existing internship program. this is in nagasaki prefecture. most of them came to japan aztec any cal interns, a system mainly for workers in the

manufacturing, ago griculture a construction industries. after completing a three-year internship, workers can swift to the worker visa without taking any exams. known to his friends at totowa is one of them. he obtained his visa three months ago. >> this shipyard had been

accepting foreign interns for the past 13 years. now foreigners make up almost 10% of the workforce. currently, 15 filipinos work here under the status. unlike technical interns shs specified skilled workers are allowed to change companies. that's why the shipyard is trying harder to maintain good relations with the foreign workers.

however, there is one complication in the process. after returning home, the visa holders can't come back to japan for a significant period of time. the main reason for this is insufficientnt communication between the japanese and philippine governments. japanese companies have been deliberating with authorities in the philippines about thihis problem with tthe system.

officials from japanese companies who hope for stable long-term relationships can hardly hide their confusion.

he continues to work at the shipyard. now that he's gotten his

specified skilled worker status here in japan, he aims to improve his skills. after finishing work at 5:00 p.m., he heads back to his dormitory. >> this employee dormitory is provided by the company, especially for filipino workers.

two people live in a ten square meter room with a shared bathroom. rent is about $70 a month, inccluding utilities. he has a special r routine whene gets home each day. he talks to his wife and daughter in the philippines for more than three hours every day using a video

he now manages to send almost $1,000 home to his family once a monnth, more tthan half his salary. the money he sends back goes to pay for home construction, living expenses and tuition. since obtaining the new status, he has obtained a pay raise and is now eligible to stay in japan for five years. but if he goes back to the philippines, he doesn't know when he'll be able to resume his work. stuck between the inconsistent rules of two nations and far from his family, he feels some

frustration. meanwhile, she aims to obtain the specified worker visa from within the philippines. she has a goal she hopes to realize after workiking in japa.

>> as the weekend came to an end, she heads back to school. >> bye! >> bye-bye, love you. >> two weeks later, she passed the specified skills test for the food industry. now the only thing standing in her way is the red tape stretching between japan and the philippines.

the u.n. secrcretary general condemns the lack ofof global leadership during the coronavirus s pandemic. -- obviousviously that the international community is divided when it is more important than ever to be united. barbara: this is al jazeera, live from london. also coming up on the program, an investigation begins in new york after dozens of bodies are discovered in rented trucks outside of funeral home. pastor the p, u.n. prime minister is