In Indonesia and India, labor-starved Japanese hotels scout talent

JAKARTA -- Japanese hotel operators are traveling across Asia to recruit workers in Indonesia, India and elsewhere, hoping to address the industry's severe labor crunch as visitors to Japan reach record highs.

A major Japanese hotel industry group held its first Jakarta job fair earlier this month to meet with potential Indonesian workers. Similar events are scheduled in the Philippines, Vietnam, India, Sri Lanka and Nepal -- countries that conduct examinations required for foreigners seeking Japanese visas under the "specified skilled worker" program.