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For the future of Myanmar
I hope you will put the skills you have cultivated at Kanefuji to good use in a wide range of situations.
2023.02.01
Kanefuji Co., Ltd., a Tokyo-based company, began accepting foreign workers in 2015 and currently employs many Myanmar nationals. This article features interviews with the company's representative, Mr. Ando, and four Myanmar employees. (Interview conducted on October 24, 2022)
Company Profile
| Location: | 6-28-8 Hatanodai, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo |
|---|---|
| Business details: | Interior construction/renovation/exterior construction/parking lot construction/building construction/planning and design, etc. |
| Number of employees: | 45 people |
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Acceptance status
Specified Skills: 4 people Technical Intern Training: 14 people (All Myanmar nationals) |
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| Website: | https://kipto.co.jp |
| Initial setup: |
Accommodation (with Wi-Fi), household appliances such as air conditioners and televisions, interpreters/instructors for life guidance counselors and supervising organizations (Registered Support Organizations (RSO)), etc. |
Salary Image
- 特定技能（月額基本給）
約26万円
* Salary increases based on skill level and proficiency. - Technical Intern Training (Monthly Basic Salary)
Approximately 200,000 yen
Interview Host Companies
Representative Director and Vice President
Go Ando
What were the reasons for deciding to accept them?
Our company doesn't directly employ craftsmen; instead, we've been collaborating with individual contractors since the time of my predecessor. However, about 10 years ago, we faced the problem of the craftsmen and masters we'd worked with gradually retiring, and the lack of training for the next generation. That's when we decided to seriously focus on accepting foreign workers.
What were the benefits of accepting it?
Actually, the craftsmen in their 40s and 50s who partner with our company had a problem: they had little experience training younger workers. However, by directly mentoring our young people in Myanmar, their training skills have improved, leading to an unexpected synergistic effect where the number of young workers at our partner companies has also started to increase.
What measures or precautions do you take after accepting them?
Myanmar is known as the "Land of Smiles," and it seems that many of its people have a gentle temperament. That's why, if they are reprimanded on the job, they can become very depressed. Some people, not knowing what to do, would actually just smile back. To prevent misunderstandings like that, we made sure to share information about the national character and cultural differences with our Japanese employees.
Please send a message to companies planning to implement this system.
The construction industry still desperately needs talented personnel. However, in our field, skilled workers are increasingly closing their businesses or changing careers, resulting in a noticeable decline in the workforce. How can we improve this situation in the future? The more I think about it seriously, the more I believe that accepting foreign workers is inevitable. If you are facing difficulties, I strongly encourage you to take on this challenge.
Voices from those working on-site
We spoke with four Myanmar nationals working in Japan as Specified Skilled Worker (i): HTOO AUNG, THET NAING TUN Thong, AUNG KHAING PHYO, and SOE KHANT MAW, about their work, life, and workplace environment in Japan.
HTOO AUNG
Now Japan is my second home, and I want to live a good life here!
AUNG came to Japan with the desire to share Japanese cross weaving techniques with Myanmar. Now, he feels Japan is his second home. "I want to live a good life in Japan with my family. I will work even harder to achieve that!"
THET NAING TUN
I want to hone my skills in Japan and then make a name for myself in Myanmar, where the demand for cross-stitching is growing!
When she first came to Japan, THET NAING TUN said she felt reassured by the kindness of her seniors from Myanmar. Her dream is to start an interior design company in her home country. "The demand for wallpaper is increasing in Myanmar, so I want to contribute!"
AUNG KHAING PHYO
I was surprised to find that the Great Buddha of Japan is just as big as the one in Myanmar!
He said that among all aspects of Japanese culture, he was particularly interested in the Great Buddha. "Myanmar also has the world's second-largest Buddha statue, but I was surprised by how big the Ushiku Daibutsu is. Japan is pretty impressive too (laughs)."
SOE KHANT MAW
My goal is to obtain the "Japanese Language Proficiency Test Level 1" certification!
She is fluent in Japanese and can have no problem with everyday conversations with Japanese people. She is currently studying to pass the Japanese Language Proficiency Test Level 1. She also wants to get a driver's license, saying, "Someday I'd like to drive a luxury Japanese car!"
