Getting to Know Tokutei Ginou (SSW): Opportunities and Advantages for Japanese Companies

Japan faces the challenge of labor shortages in various industrial sectors due to changing demographics and increasing labor needs. These conditions encourage Japanese companies to consider foreign labor as one of the solutions in meeting operational needs.

One scheme that can be utilized is Tokutei Ginou (Τ) or Specified Skilled Worker (SSW). The program provides opportunities for foreign workers who have Japanese language skills and proficiency as required to work in Japan.

Then, what is Tokutei Ginou and how can the program benefit Japanese companies?

1. What is Tokutei Ginou (SSW)?

Tokutei Ginou is a status of residence and work permit in Japan reserved for foreign workers with certain skills. The program is designed to assist industrial sectors that are experiencing difficulties in obtaining local labor.

In contrast to technical apprenticeship programs that are oriented to the development of skills through training, Tokutei Ginou provides foreign workers with the opportunity to work directly according to their area of expertise.

In general, Tokutei Ginou falls into two categories:

• Tokutei Ginou 1 (SSW 1): Aimed at workers who possess Japanese language skills and proficiency at the required level. The period of stay in this category may be extended to a total of five years, subject to applicable conditions.
• Tokutei Ginou 2 (SSW 2): Aimed at workers with higher skills. This status allows the extension of the stay indefinitely the number of renewals as long as the requirements are met. Workers can also apply for permission for spouses and children to live together in Japan as per immigration provisions.

2. Industrial Sectors in Need of Foreign Labour

Tokutei Ginou covers a variety of industrial sectors that require a workforce with specialized skills. Some areas that can be opportunities for Japanese companies include:

• Manufacturing: Food processing, production of industrial components, and other manufacturing jobs.
• Construction: Construction work of buildings, infrastructure, and related fields.
• Agriculture: Crop cultivation, agricultural management, and agricultural production activities.
• Elderly care (Kaigo): Care support and mentoring for the elderly.
• Accommodation: Hotel operations and hospitality services.
• Food service: Food preparation, restaurant operations, and customer service.

The

coverage of the Tokutei Ginou sector continues to grow. Therefore, the company needs to ensure the field of work and the type of activity to be carried out in accordance with the sectors allowed in the latest provisions.

3. Tokutei Ginou

Profits for Japanese Companies

Utilizing the Tokutei Ginou scheme can provide a number of advantages for companies in need of foreign labor.

Expanding labor resources

The company can reach candidates from different countries, including Indonesia, so that it has a wider choice to meet the needs of the workforce.

Getting workers with measurable skills

Candidates of Tokutei Ginou must meet the requirements of Japanese language skills and proficiency according to the field of work. This helps companies acquire workers who already have a relevant competence base

.

Support operational continuity

The availability of suitable labor can help companies maintain the smooth running of operations, especially in sectors experiencing labor shortages.

Building a medium to long term workforce

Particularly at Tokutei Ginou 2, the company has the opportunity to retain workers for a longer period of time as long as the residency and permanent employment status requirements are met.

4th. What the Company Needs to Prepare

Before recruiting labor through Tokutei Ginou, companies need to understand a number of applicable requirements and processes.

Some important things to note include:

• Labor needs: Determine the number of workers, types of jobs, skills, and qualifications needed.
• Candidate requirements: Ensure candidates meet the requirements of the Japanese language skills and proficiency exam, or any applicable exemption conditions.
• Admission procedure: Understand the selection process, employment contracts, documents, and residence permit status filing.
• Worker support: Set up life and employment support in Japan as required by the company or registered support organization.
• Adaptation of the work environment: Ensuring workers understand work culture, safety, communication, and responsibility during work.

Good preparation helps the company run the admissions process in a more targeted manner while supporting the adaptation of workers after arriving in Japan.

5. Indonesia as a Potential Candidate Source

Indonesia has a workforce potential that Japanese companies can consider. In addition to the large number of the population of productive age, more and more prospective Indonesian workers are preparing themselves through skills training and Japanese language learning.

However, the success of recruitment is not only determined by the number of candidates. The suitability of skills, communication ability, readiness for work, and cultural understanding are also important factors.

Therefore, Japanese companies need to work with labor delivery partners who understand the process from Indonesia to Japan. The right partner can help connect the needs of the company with the preparation of candidates, while supporting the administrative process according to the applicable conditions.

Building Indonesia-Japan Recruitment Cooperation with Kebun Technology

Kebun Technology is an official licensed P3MI from the Ministry of Employment of the Republic of Indonesia and is licensed as a sending organization () for Tokutei Ginou, Ikusei Shuro, and Technical Internship programs.

Through Indonesia-Japan cooperation, Kebun Technology supports the company in the process of sending Indonesian labor to Japan according to the applicable scheme and conditions.

If your company is considering hiring manpower from Indonesia through Tokutei Ginou program, contact us to discuss labor needs and further cooperation opportunities.

Kebun Technology — Connecting Indonesia and Japan.