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Examples of companies that employ foreigners

If you can do your job, you can also pick up on the atmosphere of the place. That's why you can trust me!

Image: President and CEO Kazuaki Funahashi

Mr. Kazuaki Funahashi, President and CEO of Shouei Kogyo Co., Ltd.

Shoei Kogyo Co., Ltd. started accepting Vietnamese workers after they happened to apply for a job and learned about their personalities and high abilities. This time, we will introduce the efforts of the company, whose strength lies in their "good relationships" that transcend nationality.

Host company interview

Company Profile

Shouei Industry Co., Ltd.
Address: 1739-4 Tamagawa, Tokigawa-cho, Hiki-gun, Saitama Prefecture
Business description: Rebar gas pressure welding, enclosure welding, flare welding, etc.
Website: http://www.shoei-ind.co.jp/

5 foreigners / 60 employees) Specified Skills 2 / Technical Intern Training students 3 (all Vietnamese)
Image: Shoei Kogyo Co., Ltd.
  • I felt that the motivation and ability of the students exceeded my expectations.
  • The basic principle is "show them how to do it and let them do it"
  • Give and take is the key to strengthening relationships
Mr. Hiep fixes the rebar and prepares it for pressure welding.
Why did you decide to accept?
Originally, we hired a Vietnamese as a designer since 2014. His work is wonderful, and if he can do his job, he is strong in numbers and understands the atmosphere. I started using the foreigner Technical Intern Training system in 2015 with the expectation that if this is so good, other Vietnamese will surely be good too, and I want to hire people from my hometown to make it easier for Vietnamese designers to work.
What was good about accepting it?
I was surprised at their high motivation for work. I have never seen them lazing around saying they are tired. Although there are individual differences, they also have a keen sense as craftsmen and learn skills quickly. Basically, they come to Japan with the determination to learn the job. Their attitude of not being afraid to take on any task is probably what leads to their rapid growth.
What are your plans for the future?
The construction industry is currently facing a serious labor shortage, and our company also faces the issue of low retention rates of Japanese workers. Therefore, we plan to continue to accept these eager Vietnamese workers. They are truly talented, so in the future, more of them will become independent, and some will start businesses in their home countries. Then, we would like them to act as a bridge with the local area and scout even more talented people for Japan.
Initial deployment
・Securing dormitories
・A complete set of household appliances, etc.
Salary system image
・ Specified Skills (basic salary) about 250,000 yen/month
*Conditions: Salary increase and various allowances for each qualification acquisition
・ Technical Intern Training hour (basic salary) about 190,000 yen/month
・Foreign construction worker (basic salary) about 220,000 yen/month

They anticipate each other's next moves and work together perfectly
Nagase (left) and Hiep (right) are more like father and son than just master and disciple.

Voices of people working on the ground

We interviewed Hiep and Anh from Vietnam, who work as Specified Skilled Worker (i), about their work, life, and work environment in Japan.

Photo: Voices of people working on-site
Image: Hiep
I want to continue to live up to the expectations of my "dad" who has kindly taught me how to do my job!

Hiep

Hiep is fluent in Japanese and is able to hold meetings with other contractors on-site. He is also well-trusted by the company, and calls his senior colleague Nagase "Dad," and they work perfectly together. "It was Dad who kindly taught me how to do my job from the time I first came to Japan. I hope we continue to work together as a team."
Image: Ain
The positive atmosphere at work gives me peace of mind, allowing me to work hard at both work and life in Japan!

Ain

Anh works hard every day to send money to his parents and siblings in Vietnam. He lives in a dormitory in a house provided by his company. "I don't feel lonely in the dormitory because I have fellow Vietnamese friends. On weekends, I sometimes go out drinking with Japanese people from the company, so it's lively and fun." His smile shows the friendly relationship between the employees.

Initiatives of host companies

Managing Director
Junpei Yamanishi

Since starting to accept people in 2015, we have hired 11 Vietnamese people so far. The training method starts with teaching basic work procedures at the factory within the company. In addition, we use text translated into Vietnamese to make it easier for students to learn the tools.

When they go out on the field, they are curious and try to touch anything and try to do it themselves. Therefore, rather than teaching sincerely and politely, I just want them to remember it by "trying it and letting it go". It seems to suit my sexuality.

One of our main businesses is rebar jointing, and there is an urgent need to train rebar joints, but there is no such job in Technical Intern Training students. To work as a rebar fitting, you need to move to Specified Skills, and to do so, you must take and pass the "The Specified Skills (i) Evaluation Exam for Construction Industry". At that time, I actually acted as an examiner and gave one-on-one guidance as if it were practice, such as rewriting the workbook into simple words and watching videos of the exam content that were also published. I was really happy when they passed with flying colors.

Efforts to shorten the distance

We go on company trips, of course, but on our days off we take them to amusement parks and tourist spots, and we spend our days together. They also invite us to their dorms, so we eat and drink together, and we're pretty much like families. When they get a boyfriend or girlfriend, they always introduce me to them, and I act as a guarantor for their place to stay, and if anything happens, I'll drive them to the hospital, so I try to support them as much as I can.

Trying snowboarding on company trips

Advice for companies considering accepting foreign workers

Vietnam is a country of compassion, and I think it is a very friendly national character even for Japanese people. When we help or support them in any way, they always try to repay the favor. This does not only mean paying a salary, but also about small daily considerations and help with daily life. In addition to personal support, our company does everything we can, such as providing rice and subsidizing food costs. If we can build such a give-and-take relationship, they will surely respond with all their might.

They also invite Japanese employees to their dorms for dinner parties.
June 29, 2022List of advanced cases of companies accepting interviews
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