2021 Awards in Recognition of Excellent Foreign Construction Workers Ceremony Report

Foreign construction workers will save Japan's construction industry!

On Thursday, April 7, 2022, an awards ceremony for foreign workers active on construction sites was held in Kasumigaseki.
We will introduce interviews with the five winners and the reasons why they received their awards.

There is also a video of the award ceremony available on YouTube.
https://youtu.be/NdIk7fHzspM

- How did you feel when you found out you were selected as the winner?

When I was first told that I was selected as an "Recognition of Excellent Foreign Construction Workers," I didn't know what the word "award" meant, and I didn't understand what the award was. But when I found out that it meant that my hard work up until now had been recognized, I was really happy. I want to tell my family back home as soon as possible.

- Please tell us what you are working hard on right now.

I want to continue working in Japan, so I want to obtain the qualifications necessary for work. However, I still can't read kanji, so it's difficult for me to take the exam. If possible, I would be happy if the questions were written in hiragana, which is easy to read for people from any country.

- What are your future goals?

In Japan, pure white snow piles up in winter, there is a lot of greenery in spring, there are clean rivers in summer, and the trees turn red in autumn. I am happy to be able to work and smile in this country with such four seasons. My family's life in Cambodia is still financially unstable, but I would like to work harder than I do now to support them. To that end, I would like to try more different things in my work.

- Please tell us your memories of when you first came to Japan.

When I first came to Japan, I couldn't speak Japanese at all, and I remember having a hard time understanding the work content at my first work site. There were two foreigners who joined the company at the same time as me, but I was the worst at Japanese among them, and I felt frustrated.

- Please tell us what you are working hard on right now.

I believe that the longer I work, the more my Japanese should improve. The number of junior colleagues is increasing, so I don't want to lose to them in Japanese.

- Please say a few words about receiving the award.

I am truly grateful to the president, the senior managing director, and the general manager, who raised me when I couldn't even converse in everyday conversation. I was also very grateful to my seniors on the job site, who trusted my work and carefully taught me techniques and Japanese. I would also like to thank my mother and father, who believed in my efforts in Japan and supported me.

Award Points

• He has passed the first-level skills test, completed the foreman and safety and health manager training, and is registered as the site's chief engineer.
• With about one year of experience as a foreman, he is able to lead the work site by planning work and taking care of workers.
• Companies also fully support the acquisition of qualifications and practical experience, with employees aiming to achieve level 3 status under the Construction Career Up System and even to become registered core engineers.

Award Points

• When he passed the first-level skills test alongside Japanese candidates, he was recognized for his excellent performance by the Aichi Prefectural Skilled Workers Association.
• They have also completed training for foremen and safety and health managers, and are already working as foremen at smaller construction sites.
• Companies are working to develop employees while motivating them by giving them responsible work and having them concentrate on taking on difficult exams.