[3] Since the Labor Standards Act was not applied at the start of the system, some workplaces have engaged practices such as the non-payment of wages and poor working environments.
[5] According to Ministry of Justice data, there were 192,655 technical interns in Japan under the terms of the program as of 2015[update], an increase of about 15% from the previous year.
[10] Small businesses in rural locations in Japan employ many of the trainees, who are often hosted by local commerce and industry groups and small-business associations.
Under the new system, the OTIT focuses on compliance (with laws and regulations), additional schemes (3 gou), and the protection of Technical Interns.
The program has come under increasing scrutiny for alleged labour rights violations, occupational health and safety issues and lax administrative oversight.