Japan faces a major challenge with a shortage of foreign workers estimated to reach one million people by 2040. This projection was issued by a research institution as a result of the country’s declining birth rate. To maintain economic growth, Japan needs to increase the number of foreign workers to Kerja di Jepang.
The role of foreign workers is very important for the Japanese economy, especially in filling the shortage of local workers due to the high number of elderly people and low birth rates. As of October 2023, the number of foreign workers in Japan has more than quadrupled in the past 15 years, reaching around 2.05 million people or around 3% of the total workforce in the country.
Initial Challenges: The Struggle to Start a Career in Japan
For many foreign workers, working in Japan means starting from scratch, especially in terms of language and work culture. Maria, an IT professional from the Philippines, struggled to communicate due to her limited Japanese language skills, which made her feel isolated in the work environment. In addition, the Japanese work culture, which requires high discipline and full dedication, the sum of Gaji di Jepang was also a challenge. A similar experience was experienced by John, an engineer from the United States, who had to adapt to long working hours that were very different from the habits in his country.
Adaptation and Learning: The Key to Surviving in the Japanese Workplace
To overcome the language barrier, many foreign workers choose to learn Japanese, either independently or through company-provided classes. A better understanding of the language not only helps with daily communication but also increases career opportunities. Furthermore, understanding Japanese work culture is an important factor in the adaptation process. Participating in social activities such as nomikai (drinking events with coworkers) helps build better relationships with colleagues and facilitates integration into the team.
Achieving Success: The Journey to a Stable Career
With perseverance and a willingness to adapt, many foreign workers have been able to thrive in Japan. Maria, who initially struggled with language barriers, is now successfully leading a software development team in Tokyo. Meanwhile, John has risen through the ranks to become a project manager, thanks to his ability to adapt to Japanese work culture. Their successes demonstrate that with dedication, flexibility, and continued effort, foreign workers can achieve professional success in Japan while enriching their life experiences.
Opportunities for Foreign Workers in Japan
To address the labor shortage, the Japanese government is increasingly opening up opportunities for foreign workers through various policies. Some of the steps that have been implemented include:
- Program Specified Skilled Worker (SSW)
This program provides opportunities for foreign workers to work in sectors that are experiencing shortages of Nurses (kaigo included), Agriculture, Food Service, Food Production and Construction. With this program, foreign workers can get jobs that match their skills and determine how much Gaji Kaigo di Jepang they want.
- Increased Work Visa Categories
The Japanese government has expanded the types of work visas to make it easier for foreign workers to enter and work legally in various industrial sectors that require additional workers.
- Improving Working Conditions for Foreign Workers
Japan continues to strive to create a more comfortable working environment for foreign workers, including by improving facilities, providing Japanese language training, and building a better social support system so they can adapt more easily.
With these policies, Japan hopes to attract more foreign workers to fill labor vacancies and maintain stable economic growth.
Conclusion
Japan is facing a major shortage of foreign workers, projected to reach one million by 2040 due to the country’s declining birth rate. To sustain economic growth, Japan must increase its foreign workforce, which has grown fourfold over the past 15 years, now totaling approximately 2.05 million workers. However, many foreign employees encounter initial difficulties, such as language barriers and differences in work culture. To overcome these challenges, they often take Japanese language courses, engage in social activities, and adapt to Japan’s professional environment.
In response to the labor shortage, the Japanese government has introduced various policies, including the Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) program, which provides employment opportunities in fields such as nursing, agriculture, food service, food production, and construction. Additionally, work visa categories have been expanded to facilitate legal employment for foreign workers in industrial sectors. Japan is also making efforts to enhance workplace conditions for foreign employees by improving facilities, offering language training, and establishing better social support systems.