Export
Japan is one of Vietnam's major and important labor export markets.
Many people choose to work in Japan because of the high income and modern living environment. It is also a good opportunity to improve the economy and develop themselves.
However, to successfully engage in labor export in Japan, workers need to be trained with the necessary information.
We consult with you in the most detail about exporting labor to Japan.
What is Japanese Labor Export?
Japanese labor export is a form of cooperation program undertaken by the Japanese and Vietnamese governments to bring Vietnamese nationals to live and work in Japan.
The main administrative unit is the Ministry of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs. Companies with the function of dispatching personnel to foreign countries must obtain a permit from the Ministry of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs.
More simply stated, the program is a cooperative effort between Vietnam and Japan. It allows Vietnamese workers to work in Japan according to a prescribed system and job category.
Japan's Labor Export Market in 2022
'+ Japan's Labor Exports in the First Half of 2022
According to statistics from the Department of Overseas Labor, the total number of Vietnamese workers going abroad to work in the first three months of 2021 will reach 29,541, representing 32.82% of the 2021 plan.
Of this total, Japan remains the largest employer with 18,178 employees.
The first half of year 2022 is seen as the most exciting time for labor exports, with an opportunity to achieve more than 50% of the plan target allocated for the year.
However, 2022 remains an extremely challenging year for import/export operations due to the highly complex epidemic situation of COVID-19 both domestically and globally. This is particularly the case in traditional labor markets such as Vietnam.
+ Estimated Future Labor Export Situation to Japan
Once the outbreak of the pandemic settles, demand for recruitment of Vietnamese workers by Japanese companies and enterprises is expected to increase in order to boost human resources.
Thus, export conditions and exit procedures may be eased. Moreover, since departure time will be quicker, this is considered a "great" opportunity for workers who wish to come, live, and work in Japan in the coming years.
In addition, Vietnam is expanding the introduction of new "specified skill" work visas. This is likely good news for the flourishing market for labor exports to Japan.
+ Trainee program will be extended
We believe it is favorable news for workers who wish to come to Japan to live and work there for a long period of time.
This is because in recent years, Japan's technical intern program has limited the length of service to three years.
However, from now on, interns will be able to return to Japan for work after their contract ends, provided that all conditions are met.
The new specified skilled visa system will also extend the working hours of interns who have obtained a specified skilled visa for a longer period of time.
Many people may want to go to Japan to work in 2022 under the labor export program, but do not know the requirements.
In reality, however, the requirements and conditions differ for each work request in Japan. Therefore, to properly prepare, you need to clearly determine which demand you wish to proceed with.
Below are the basic requirements you need to understand if you want to work abroad in Japan.
+ Age Requirements
The age for working abroad in Japan is between 18 and 30 years old.
However, each occupation has different age requirements. Specifically: For technical intern trainees and specified skills, you must be at least 18 years old.
For technicians who are 21 years old or older.
+ Appearance Condition
Height: for men over 1m60 tall. For females over 1m50. Applicants must not have applied for a visa to Japan before.
+ Health Condition
No tattoos. No disability, no color blindness. (Most work requests do not accept people with color blindness)
Eye condition reached 7/10 or better.
No HIV or Hepatitis B infection.
Employees must undergo a medical examination at a hospital with favorable results.
Must be examined at a medical center that meets the foreign worker medical examination standards.
+ Experience Requirements
No degree is required.
However, those working abroad must be able to learn Japanese.
Experience is not required. Most work requests in Japan do not require experience; garments, machine repair, and slag welding are just a few of the things that require experience and skill. The basic requirement for going to Japan is to be a healthy person.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Working Abroad in Japan
+ Advantages of working abroad from Japan
- High Salaries
The average salary for workers going to Japan to work abroad is higher than in other countries.
For example, a simple worker earns VND24 million to VND35 million per month, while a worker coming to Japan to work as an engineer earns VND32 million to VND40 million per month.
- Benefits for overseas workers in Japan are quite extensive.
In Japan, benefit programs such as insurance, salary, and holidays are usually clearly regulated. Employees are insured and are guaranteed accommodation and meal benefits throughout the duration of their contract.
In particular, workers going to Japan to work overseas are entitled to labor productivity, vacation, and days off in accordance with Japanese labor laws.
The 8-hour work day and overtime hours are calculated by multiplying the overtime pay by a coefficient.
- Healthy working Environment
All Japanese companies wishing to accept foreign workers must fully comply with the following requirements.
Companies that are large enough (and can consider salaries according to each level) are not obligated to pay taxes.
Financial statements must be stable for at least the past two years.
The number of trainees fleeing must not exceed the allowable number.
Dormitories for workers must meet standards.
In addition, working for a Japanese company offers the following benefits to employees.
Learn how to work as a team and work on the line.
Working in a sociable, friendly, and safe environment.
Exposure to the latest technology and advanced machinery.
Learn Japanese with native speakers and improve their communication skills.
- Good opportunity to improve skills after returning home.
Workers return home after their contract ends, giving them even more opportunities to find work in Vietnam.
It is very easy to apply for a job as a worker manager, interpreter, or department head. This is because you have knowledge of the Japanese language accumulated over the years and your skills are improving.
+ Difficulties in going to work in Japan
- Language Barrier
A difficulty many Vietnamese workers face is the language barrier. However, before exporting a worker to Japan, the worker will take a language class.
Yet, not everyone learns to speak a new language and masters that language easily.
Therefore, at first, most employees lacked courage and confidence in communicating with native speakers.
To overcome this situation, therefore, employees need to regularly improve their Japanese so that they can communicate confidently.
- Living costs are quite High
Japan is known as a country where the cost of living is quite high. Thus, when living and working in Japan, workers must try to spend lessto be able to cover their living expenses.
If a simple worker or trainee first comes to Japan, it can be difficult to save money if they do not know how to balance the cost of living.
- "Shock" at the Culture
Culture shock is a common symptom for many Vietnamese who come to Japan for the first time.
When the language is not fluent and many cultural features of Japan are so different from those of Vietnam, many new Vietnamese find it difficult and want to return home.
In Japan, they live and work very seriously and professionally.
For example, they arrive at work on time and work with maximum productivity... Japanese social culture demands according to strict standards.
You must stand in line, bow and greet others when you meet them.
Due to the differences, many Vietnamese workers feel frustrated and uncomfortable when entering Japan and may not strictly follow Japanese cultural standards.
FAQ about going to Japan to work abroad
+ Is it Good to go to Japan to work abroad?
Whether it is a good idea to go abroad to work from Japan is a question most young people face.
Many countries are currently recruiting foreign workers, including Korea, Japan, and Taiwan. Each country has different regulations regarding recruitment, salaries, and systems.
However, as of 2021, according to a survey of young people, the highest percentage of workers chose Japan.
+ What is necessary to work in Japan?
What does a first-time worker to Japan need to prepare in order to settle in as quickly and stably as possible?
Understand the amount of luggage you can bring, some important required documents, cash, food, personal items, and all other important things you will need, and prepare yourself mentally.
The perfect approach by us. We also recommend that you do not carry anything extra and that you are not overly perfectionistic.
Bring only what is absolutely necessary for a new start in Japan.
This is all the information you need about Japanese labor export advice for workers going to Japan to work overseas.
We hope that the information shared by Luat Tran and Lien Danh will help those who need, are interested in, or are learning about Japanese labor export to better understand the issues involved in participating in Japanese labor export. Good luck!
