The United States State Department downgraded Japan to Tier 2 in its 2020 Trafficking Persons Report, which assesses countries' on their efforts to combat human trafficking. The report states that Japan "does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking but is making significant efforts to do so. " As part of its assessment, the State Department drew particular attention to forced labour allegations in the Technical Intern Training Program, highlighting the Japanese government's lack of response to excessive recruitment fees.