Support for Finding Employment at Japanese Companies: The Employment Service Center for Foreigners

"Foreign Students Corner" at the Tokyo Employment Service Center for Foreigners

Are there any of you who would like to work for a Japanese company after you complete your studies here as a foreign student? The trend among Japanese companies to proactively hire talented foreign students who not only possess specialist techniques, skills and knowledge but are also used to life in Japan and have thorough knowledge of both overseas and Japanese circumstances is starting to become more prevalent.

However, it is also true that are many obstacles, such as language, that a foreign student must overcome if he/she is to compete with Japanese students in their job search and land a job at a Japanese company of their desire. Furthermore, job hunting procedures in Japan begin the year prior to graduation. Therefore, it is necessary for the foreign student to have a good understanding of Japanese job-hunting practices and begin their job search activities at an early stage.

The Employment Service Center for Foreigners operated by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, provides support for foreign students who are looking to work for a Japanese company. Here is a look at the center and its services.

The Employment Service Center for Foreigners provides job placement assistance for foreign students and other foreigners in specialized and technical fields who would like to work in Japan. There are three such centers in Japan: the Tokyo Employment Service Center for Foreigners, the Nagoya Employment Service Center for Foreigners and the Osaka Employment Service Center for Foreigners.

The primary assistance that the Tokyo Employment Service Center for Foreigners provides to foreign students is as follows. The two other centers provide similar services. (Please inquire with the relevant center for details.)

Provision of help-wanted information

Information related to the recruitment of foreign students is released and provided to foreign students. Furthermore, individual consultation services are provided to foreign students and recruitment interview meetings for foreign students are also held.
3,720 undergraduate and postgraduate foreign students enrolled in about 300 national, public and private universities in all 47 prefectures of Japan registered with the Tokyo Employment Service Center for Foreigners and received such job placement assistance in 2007.

Job placement activity assistance

Guidance regarding job placement activities is provided to foreign students. It includes individual guidance on how to fill in entry sheets or do job interviews as well as the hosting of seminars related to business etiquette and attire.

Consultation by specialist advisors regarding status of residence, etc.

To work for a Japanese company, it is necessary to switch your student visa to a work visa. The advisor in charge will carefully respond to questions from foreign students regarding residence status, etc.

Execution of internships for foreign students

Internships, in which foreign students actually work at a Japanese company, allow them to get a feel for the business climate and customs of Japanese companies. At the same time, it enables them to get practical training as well as acquire business etiquette, such as greetings and answering phones, at companies that are related to their major. The center matches foreign students with trustworthy companies. The next internship opportunities are scheduled for about a week between February and March 2009 (during school spring break). Please inquire directly with the center for further details.
See: Tokyo Employment Service Center for Foreigners website, "About foreign student internships!!" (This information is available in Japanese only)
http://www.tfemploy.go.jp/jp/topics/Ryuugakusei_Internship
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When starting your job search activities for working in Japan, why not utilize the services provided by the Employment Service Center for Foreigners near you?

Employment Service Centers for Foreigners

Tokyo:
Tokyo Employment Service Center for Foreigners
Address: Roppongi Job Park B1, 3-2-21 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Phone: 03-3588-8639
Website: http://www.tfemploy.go.jp/index.html

Aichi Pref.:
Nagoya Employment Service Center for Foreigners
Address: Chunichi Bldg. 12 F, 4-1-1 Sakae, Naka-ku, Nagoya City, Aichi Pref.
Phone: 052-264-1901
Website: http://www2.aichi-rodo.go.jp/gaikokujin/en/
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Osaka Pref.:
Osaka Employment Service Center for Foreigners
Address: Osaka Ekimae Daini Bldg. 15F, 1-2-2 Umeda, Kita-ku, Osaka City, Osaka Pref.
Phone: 06-6344-1135
Website: http://www.osaka-rodo.go.jp/hw/gaisen/
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