Report on the "Foreigner Coexistence Course 2025" Lifestyle/Transportation Guidance Course for Japanese Employees

JAC has been holding a series of six "Foreigner Coexistence Courses" for Japanese employees since May 2025. The sixth and final "Lifestyle/Transportation Guidance Course" was held online on Thursday, December 11th.

In this course, we invited Mr. Shiraishi of BREXA CrossBorder Co., Ltd. as the lecturer, and started by reviewing "how to make Plain Japanese, how to give instructions, and what the company can do". In the main story, we took a little deeper into how to give practical instructions, using lifestyle and traffic rules in Japan as examples.

The always popular guest corner was extended, with three members of BREXA CROSS BORDER's multinational team taking to the stage. They shared real-life examples from the relief efforts and valuable insights based on differences in lifestyles compared to their home countries.

Ensure safety with clear instructions! "How to give clear instructions"

Convincing reasoning and risk communication

To increase the persuasiveness of instructions, it is important to clearly communicate the reasons for actions and the potential risks. Visualizing risks, such as using videos that recreate traffic accidents, is particularly effective.

Reaffirming "No"

The expression "you can't do this" has different meanings depending on the context, and can be difficult for foreign workers to understand, so care must be taken. We replaced it with more specific expressions such as "please do this" and "don't do this," and reaffirmed that instructions are clear from the perspective of foreigners.

Key points for teaching bicycle rules that are getting stricter every year

Many people come to Japan from countries where bicycle riding is not a custom, so when teaching them traffic rules, giving them too much information at once can cause confusion.

• We will gradually increase the amount of information on situations where bicycles are used, such as commuting to work.
• Incorporate elements that encourage self-thinking.
• In cases where situational judgment is required, safe and easy-to-understand practical instruction is provided, such as actually riding a bicycle together.

We have prepared instructional materials for you to use.

Guest Corner: Real voices from a multinational team

This time, three members of the multinational team, Mr. Tatsumi (Japanese), Mr. Ben (Filipino), and Ms. Marisa (Indonesian), took the stage as guest speakers to talk about the secrets to working smoothly in a multinational team.

The secret to smooth teamwork

• An environment where there is thorough communication within the team and no inconvenience is felt.
• Build a relationship of trust where you can say anything to each other. Accept the hardships as something for your own good.
• Be conscious of using positive words such as "praise" and "acknowledge."
• They accept that things will not go well and have the generosity to leave it up to the other person.

Differences between Technical Intern Training students and Specified Skills employees

• Technical Intern Training Students often seek help from support organizations for daily life, such as how to get to the hospital or receive mail, based on their Japanese level and experience.
• Specified Skills Employees tend to have more in-depth life consultations tailored to their stage of life, such as marriage and child-rearing, although the frequency of consultations decreases as their Japanese level increases and their experience increases.

Issues companies should be aware of regarding the "life" and "support" of foreign employees

The participants were introduced to lifestyle topics that companies often ask about, specific measures being taken by support organizations, and differences in lifestyle habits from their home countries.

Future support

There is a dilemma that encouraging foreigners to become independent is criticized as "insufficient support," while providing support leads to "dependence." It was suggested that when it comes to support, it is important to provide balanced support that encourages independence, with the individual, company, and support organization all working in the same direction, and "supporting from behind to help them achieve their goals on their own."

Challenges of bringing family members

Specified Skills Family companionship is a high hurdle, and there are more situations where support is needed, such as major illnesses or childcare. Japanese language skills are especially important, and family support is also required.

The final lecture concluded with Tatsumi's words, "I hope that we will deal with foreign workers with a good balance of tolerance and strictness."

Summary: Deepening "coexistence" with foreign workers [Lifestyle/Transportation Guidance Course]

Clear instructions and safety

When giving instructions, it is important to clearly communicate the reasons for actions and potential risks to foreign employees, making them persuasive. In particular, it is important to avoid ambiguous expressions such as "you must not" that change meaning depending on the context, and to replace them with specific and clear instructions such as "please do this" or "don't do this." Furthermore, when it comes to information that is not customary in their home country, such as bicycle rules, it is effective not to give too much information at once, but to gradually increase the information starting with situations in which they use the bicycle, such as when commuting, and to encourage independent decision-making through practical guidance.

Multinational team knowledge and support needs

In the guest corner, the secrets to the smooth work of multinational teams were shared as in-depth communication within the team, building unshakable relationships of trust that accept even tough things, and open-mindedness that "it is normal that things don't go well." In addition, Technical Intern Training students seek help with basic life from support organizations, while Specified Skills employees have more in-depth life counseling according to their stage of life, such as marriage and child-rearing, as their Japanese abilities and experience increase.

Lifestyle issues and corporate countermeasures

When it comes to everyday life issues that companies often consult about, issues that arise from significant differences in lifestyle compared to their home countries, such as garbage disposal, moving out of apartments, noise, and lending and borrowing money, were raised. Specific measures suggested to address these issues include providing thorough training on rules before and after arrival, visually explaining moving-out costs, and preventing problems by visiting neighbors to say hello. Furthermore, with regard to seasonal issues such as clogged drains and fire risks in the winter, and serious problems such as disappearances due to debt, the importance of providing advance guidance and sharing a sense of crisis, as well as communicating the information that "there are shelters available and you don't have to worry alone," was emphasized.

Future direction of support

In response to the dilemma that encouraging foreign employees to become independent is considered "lack of support" and providing support leads to "dependence", it was recommended to provide balanced support in which the individual, the company, and the support organization can face the same direction and ultimately "follow from behind" so that they can do it on their own. In addition, as the number of Specified Skills employees with their families increases, there will be more situations where support is needed, such as illness and childcare, so it is important to take into account the Japanese ability of family members.

What did you think of the six-part "Lecture on Coexistence with Foreign Nationals"?
If you missed it, check out the archives.
FY2025 "Foreigner Coexistence Course" for Japanese Employees

Inquiries: BREXA CrossBorder Co., Ltd. Person in charge: Miura
email: 090-3150-0562
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This article is a report on the "Lifestyle/Transportation Guidance Course" held as part of the "Foreigner Coexistence Course 2025" for Japanese employees on Thursday, December 11, 2025.

Seminar Video

Seminar Materials

Seminar Materials_Lifestyle/Traffic Guidance Course 251211.pdf
Q&A_Life/Traffic Guidance Course 251211.pdf

Report on the "Foreigner Coexistence Seminar" for Japanese Employees

• Report on the "Cross-Cultural Understanding Seminar (1)" for Japanese Employees [1]
• Report on the "Cross-Cultural Understanding Seminar (2) Islam" for Japanese Employees [2]
• For Japan employees [3] "Plain Japanese Course (Basics)" Report
• For Japan employees [4] "Plain Japanese Course (Application (1))" Report
• For Japan employees [5] "Plain Japanese Lecture (Application (2))" Report
• Report on the "Lifestyle/Transportation Guidance Course" for Japanese Employees (6)