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As a "Japanese family"
I want to support them when they're about to give up.
2026.01.30
Representative Director
Tooru Asami
President Asami welcomed Vietnamese students as the first group of trainees, and has continued to accept people from various nationalities for many years since then. Starting with support for their daily lives, she has welcomed them as "family in Japan," treating them with both strictness and warmth. She says that on the job, she values interactions that expand the potential of each individual and wants to nurture the skills that will lead to their future.
It all started from scratch, and all the employees supported each other throughout.
What were the biggest challenges during the acceptance process?
When the first group of trainees arrived, everything was truly from scratch. It was their first time living in Japan, so they didn't know what to do or how to do it. So, we went with them and taught them everything, from how to go through the ticket gates at the train station, to how to buy ramen tickets, to how to order at McDonald's. We accompanied them on their shopping trips, literally guiding them every step of the way. All the employees supported them.
Do you have regular interactions with them?
Yes. We now play futsal every month. We rent a practice field and recently participated in a tournament held in Ikebukuro, Tokyo. We got completely crushed (laughs), but what impressed me was how much fun everyone seemed to be having. We've even had uniforms made, and I'm secretly thinking about turning it into something like a "company team."
Language barriers exist to be overcome.
Do you provide support for learning Japanese?
Sometimes, language barriers can arise on-site. Ten years ago, this was one of the reasons why our business partners disliked us. But we can't just stand still. The Japanese side also needs to make more effort to understand them, and it's only natural that we should help them. We recognized this as a challenge for our company, and we started an in-house Japanese language study group, encouraging everyone to "study more."
What was the reaction to the Japanese language study group?
We started with Japanese staff members acting as instructors, but some Vietnamese students started saying, "I don't want to study anymore," and I had to remind them that "it's necessary to work in Japan." However, it's their own fault that they'll have trouble living if they don't learn the language. That's why I sometimes had to be strict during the study sessions.
What are the thoughts behind the strictness?
The day after the job interview, I met with their families and, through an interpreter, told them, "From now on, we will be your family in Japan." I also shared my resolve to support them as if I were their father, mother, or sibling. That's why I believe it's essential for the company to take good care of them so that they don't have any difficulties settling into life in Japan.
We want to be there for each and every employee, just as we would talk to a family member.
What are your current goals?
Our major goal is to go public. We believe that increasing our brand recognition will broaden our business opportunities and create a more secure future for our employees and their families. That's why we, as a company, will do everything we can for our employees. We want to stand by each and every employee, just as we would a family member, and go to see the same future together.
Once again, please tell us your thoughts on accepting them.
It pains me to see companies treating foreigners as mere "labor." They are, in fact, valuable colleagues who support the construction industry. With Japanese workers alone unable to keep projects running, we cannot function without their help. Recently, there has been an increase in malicious solicitations via the internet, raising the risk of getting involved in trouble. That's why we need to be prepared to support them, including language and lifestyle assistance. I believe that the sense of accomplishment comes from building relationships that require time and effort, and that's the true joy of working with colleagues across borders.
(Interviewed on June 4, 2025)
