"More Japanese than Japanese" - Become an employee who is loved by everyone through exceptional consideration

Oka Iwao, Representative Director, Oka Kosan Co., Ltd.

Oka Kosan Co., Ltd., located in Mie Prefecture, began accepting foreign workers in 2015 and currently employs Cambodian and Chinese nationals.
This time, we will introduce the voices of the company's representative, Mr. Oka, and his Cambodian friend, Mr. Sinath.

Host company interview

Company Profile

Address: 86 Shimonojiri, Fujiwara-cho, Inabe City, Mie Prefecture
Business details: Civil engineering, architectural construction, etc.
Website: https://oka-kousan.com

2 foreigners / 50 employees) Specified Skills 2 (Cambodian, Chinese)

Acceptance begins as part of support for Cambodia
Be careful when foreigners say "I understand"
How to spend your lunch break to improve teamwork

Mr. Ito and Mr. Sinath having a meeting on-site

Why did you decide to accept?: When I went to Cambodia on a company trip more than 10 years ago, I became friends with a local guide. During that time, I learned that there are still many families in Cambodia with a low standard of living, and this led me to continue supporting local orphanages and other facilities. Accepting children into the orphanage was one part of that.

What was good about accepting it?: Sinath, who works at our company, has overturned the negative image that Japanese employees have of "foreigners." He is not only great at his job, but also more considerate than average people. For example, on cold winter mornings, he starts the car engine before leaving and warms the inside of the car for his colleagues. There's no way he wouldn't be loved.

What are your plans for the future?: We plan to continue accepting new workers. Due to the declining population, the labor shortage in our industry will become even more severe in the future.
However, looking back at history, Japan is made up of a mix of various cultures and races. From this perspective, it is inevitable that we need to rely on the strengths of foreigners. I hope that the country will improve its systems and environment so that foreigners can play an active role.

Initial deployment: ・Dormitory accommodation (with farm)
・Wi-Fi available
・Providing household appliances and daily necessities
・Bicycles, etc.

Salary system image: ・ Specified Skills (basic salary) about 220,000 yen/month
*There is a salary increase according to skill mastery, etc.
・ Technical Intern Training hour (basic salary) about 190,000 yen/month

Apparently, Sinath can operate most heavy machinery.

Seasonal vegetables are being grown in the fields

Voices of people working on the ground

We spoke with Mr. Shinat, a Specified Skilled Worker (i) at the company, about his work and life in Japan, as well as his goals for the future.

My colleagues and superiors say that I am more Japanese than the Japanese (laughs).

Soan Sinath

After working as a Technical Intern Training student in Wakayama Prefecture for three years, Sinat returned to his home country of Cambodia and taught Japanese as a lecturer at a sending organization. Therefore, he is fluent in Japanese and can speak everyday conversations without any problems. When asked about tips on improving his language, he said, "Anyway, it's just talking to Japan, and I used to practice reading and writing hiragana when I had free time." The boss praises his hard work, saying, "I still see him reading a tattered Japanese dictionary during his lunch break."
Outside of work, he grows vegetables in the fields next to the company house and visits shrines on holidays, and his colleagues and bosses say that he is "more Japanese" than Japan. "My family is a farmer, so I'm good at growing vegetables, and I grew a variety of vegetables in my field here, but Japan's strawberries are especially delicious." Regarding the shrine, he said, "I love the gods of Japan and am very much looking forward to visiting them.
When I asked Mr. Sinat about the charm of Japan, he said, "Above all, the people are kind. That's what makes me happiest." He is currently aiming to obtain a regular driver's license, and he is studying hard to help the company even more than he is now.

Initiatives of host companies

Director and Civil Engineering Department Manager
Jun Ito

We started by accepting three Cambodian people in 2015. It was the first time for all of our employees to work with foreigners, so we were very nervous about communication. However, the first Cambodian who came was fluent in Japanese and had no trouble communicating with them. Thanks to that, we had no trouble working together.
Furthermore, Sinath, who joined the company after him, is even more fluent in Japanese and learns the job quickly. He is also extremely considerate, so it feels like we have just hired a "competent young Japanese." That said, there was one thing I was careful about when he first joined the company. It's common for foreigners to, while being taught the job, look at the other person's facial expression and say "I understand," even if they don't really understand. I warned him about this once. After that, I don't think there were many problems.
Even at the office, he never sits down until his senior colleagues do. Even while other employees are taking a break, he predicts what tools will be needed for the day's work and organizes his belongings. Regardless of his nationality, he has a wonderful personality as a person. It was really helpful having him here.

Efforts to shorten the distance

I think the most important thing is to make time to meet face to face.
For example, during lunch breaks. These days, many companies seem to spend their breaks separately, eating in their cars or playing with their smartphones in silence. Of course, it's break time, so you can spend it however you like, but I want you to eat together in a circle. That's because chatting there is the most important thing.
In fact, such conversations can provide hints for the next step in the process and provide a chance to learn the job. I believe that such casual communication not only helps to close the gap between people, but also provides an opportunity for growth as people.

Oka also puts effort into nature conservation.

Advice for companies considering accepting foreign workers

It is natural that people who have no experience working with foreigners are anxious, but on the other hand, foreigners also have anxiety about working in Japan.
That's why it's important to reach out to them. For example, if they show signs of being interested in tools or surveying equipment, let them touch them and use them. If this leads to curiosity about the job, you will then feel rewarded as the person teaching them. This kind of interaction creates teamwork. I hope you will help them grow.