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Having built up over 15 years,
Working with foreign talent is now the norm.
2026.09.18
Kawamoto Construction Company in Saitama Prefecture has been accepting foreign workers for over 15 years and continues to employ many foreign workers today. This time, we introduce the voices of Mr. Kawamoto, the company's Managing Director, and three Specified Skilled Worker. (Interview conducted on April 27, 2026)
Company Profile
| location: | 2-53-6 Higashi-Tokorozawa, Tokorozawa City, Saitama Prefecture |
|---|---|
| Business details: | Formwork Carpentry construction work |
| Number of employees: | 75 people |
| Acceptance status Specified Skills: 26 people Technical Intern Training: 21 people (Vietnamese, Chinese, Indonesian, Filipino, Korean) |
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| Website: | http://kawamoto-47.com/ |
| Initial setup: | We will review company regulations and standards to ensure safe work practices. We will also provide household appliances, bicycles, and daily necessities. |
Salary Image
- 特定技能（月額基本給）
約24万円
* Salary increases are available for obtaining qualifications, passing the Japanese Language Proficiency Test, etc., as well as for attendance and work attitude. - Technical Intern Training (Monthly Basic Salary)
Approximately 180,000 yen
Interview Host Companies
Managing Director
Takuma Kawamoto
What prompted you to start accepting them?
Even before we started accepting Technical Intern Trainee, we were working alongside foreigners who had permanent residency. It all began when we turned our attention to foreigners who wanted to work in Japan, as the number of young Japanese workers was decreasing. Many of them are very serious about their work, and while there were times when we were confused by language and cultural differences, we addressed each issue step by step.
What changes have occurred within the company or on-site since the implementation?
I think the atmosphere at work has become younger and more vibrant. Communication among Japanese employees has also increased. Of course, not everything went smoothly from the beginning. I think that the bonds between employees deepened as the entire company repeatedly considered "how to communicate" despite differences in language and culture.
What kind of support is available in terms of education and daily life?
We provide each foreign employee with a communication notebook where they can write down any concerns or problems they may have. Our aim is to resolve their problems as quickly as possible, but since they write in Japanese, it also serves as a form of language learning for them. In terms of daily life, we also provide support to help them live with peace of mind, such as making hospital appointments or accompanying them to medical appointments when they are unwell.
Please tell me what the next steps will be.
We want our foreign employees to become leaders of the company, such as foremen and project managers. We also want them to pass on what they learned from their seniors to the next generation. We understand that there will be anxieties about welcoming foreign workers for the first time, and there will be many challenges. However, rather than doing anything special, it is important to simply show concern for them on a regular basis, asking "Are you having trouble?" and "Are you okay?". Helping colleagues when they are struggling is the same as helping Japanese colleagues. We believe that this accumulation of small acts of kindness will lead to a safe and secure working environment.
Voices from those working on-site
We spoke to three Specified Skilled Worker who are employed by the company about their work and life in Japan, as well as their future goals.
CUI YUQIANG
No matter how many times I asked, he would explain it to me again and again.
He has been working at Kawamoto Construction for 13 years since coming to Japan. He had experience working in formwork in China, but he says he was strongly drawn to Japan because he felt that "Japanese construction sites are clean and everyone is diligent." He has now obtained Specified Skilled Worker (ⅱ) and is active as a foreman. Furthermore, he received the Outstanding Foreign Construction Skilled Worker Award in 2024 and is aiming even higher, saying, "I want to further hone my skills!"
MENG LIANG
Asking questions and reviewing are a given! I love my company.
MENG came to Japan with CUI. Before coming to Japan, she had studied Japanese traffic rules and customs. She would immediately ask her supervisor questions about anything she didn't understand, and she said she was a diligent student, "I learned the job by reviewing what I learned when I got home." She said she was particularly impressed when something got in her eye at work and someone from the company accompanied her to the hospital, and she said, "I love this company because everyone is so kind."
CUONG
I want to give back to my juniors what I've been taught!
CUONG studied at a construction university in Vietnam. "I learned the job with the support of my seniors." She passed the first-class Formwork Installation skills test and is now a good mentor to her juniors. She learned Japanese by reading blueprints and reference books after work, and by looking up kanji one by one on her smartphone. Speaking fluent Japanese, she says with enthusiasm, "I want to further hone my skills and become a foreman someday."
