As of October 2024, there are 2,048,675 foreign workers in Japan and 318,775 companies employing them, both record highs, according to the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare.
In Fukushima, the number of foreign workers has reached a record high of 11,987, a 20.7% increase from the previous year (9,928).
Based on concerns from companies hiring foreign workers, specific issues will be explained.
When foreigners work in Japan, communication can be difficult due to language barriers and cultural differences. For example, they may misunderstand work instructions or find it hard to ask questions or seek advice.
Misunderstandings and communication gaps at work can cause conflicts and stress for both sides. To maintain good relationships in the workplace, it’s important to understand and overcome these issues together.
Some foreign workers feel dissatisfied because their wages and benefits are different from what they expected. High living costs in Japan, along with confusion about taxes and social insurance can increase frustration. Differences in treatment compared to Japanese employees may also lead to lower motivation or even quitting. It's important to ensure foreign workers understand and are satisfied with their wages and benefits.
In some companies, foreign workers are made to work long hours for low wages, which is a serious issue. This unfair treatment can make workers feel unequal and lose trust in the company, so it's important to resolve this problem quickly.
It often takes time for foreign workers to get used to Japanese workplace culture and work style.
Especially Japan's unique "Hou-Ren-Sou" (reporting, communication, and consultation) and detailed quality control rules can cause confusion for foreign workers new to Japan.
Not getting used to workplace customs can slow down work and cause stress for foreign workers. Companies need to support foreign workers in adjusting to the work environment smoothly.
For foreign workers who want to stay in Japan long term, support for education and skill development is important. However, many companies currently lack proper systems for this. Limited training and no support for learning Japanese make it difficult for foreign workers to expand their job opportunities.
This stops career growth and causes dissatisfaction.
When foreign workers start a new job, explanations about important conditions may not be clear enough.
These include:
Because of this, some people later feel,“This is different from what I was told.”
If explanations are given only in Japanese, workers may think they understand,but in fact, they may misunderstand important points.
To
avoid problems, important conditions should be explained in simple Japanese,with pictures or charts, and in the worker’s native language if needed.
It is also important to check that the worker really understands.Clear explanations
help workers feel secure and stay longer in their jobs.
If a worker starts work without enough preparation, the workplace becomes busy and stressful.The worker may feel confused and not know who to ask for help.
Simple preparation can make a big difference.
For example:
Even small preparations help prevent problems and improve long-term retention.
Foreign workers often have worries not only at work, but also in daily life.
For example:
When these problems continue, they can lead to:
being late or absent from work,
losing motivation,
or leaving the job early.
Companies do not need to solve all problems by themselves.
However, simply
connecting workers to local support services or consultation offices can be a big help.
Stress at work, communication problems, cultural differences, loneliness, and future uncertainty can lower their motivation to stay.
Companies should not only improve the work environment but also provide strong support in daily life to help foreign workers feel secure and continue working.
Hiring foreign workers has challenges to overcome, but proper preparation makes it easier to attract valuable talent.
As more foreign workers join, it's important to tackle each issue and create a workplace where everyone can work together.
If you have any questions or concerns about hiring foreign workers, feel free to contact us.