Technical intern trainee Q&A
Answers to questions we are frequently asked.
How are technical intern trainees recruited?
The supervising organization interviews the accepting company about age, gender, work experience and working conditions and prepares a job offer. The sending organization then recruits suitable candidates in the home country.
How are selection and interviews conducted?
The sending organization screens applications and holds first-round interviews to narrow candidates down to about two to three times the number of positions. Final interviews are then held in the home country, sometimes together with aptitude tests or practical skills tests.
What is the Japanese level of trainees?
Successful candidates study Japanese in their home country for at least three months before coming to Japan. After arrival they take about one month of mandatory training, so they can handle simple everyday conversation when they start at the company.
How are housing and meals arranged?
The accepting company provides housing, such as company housing, a dormitory or a leased apartment. It is fine as long as each person has a certain minimum space along with standard appliances and tableware. Trainees prepare their own meals.
What does a company need to prepare?
The company must appoint a technical intern training manager, a skills instructor and a life instructor; enroll in labor and social insurance; keep the three statutory employment ledgers; prepare housing and daily necessities; and arrange regular health checkups.
Can trainees work overtime or on holidays?
Yes, provided an Article 36 Agreement has been filed with the Labor Standards Inspection Office. The same filing is required when adopting a flexible working hours system, and premium wages must of course be paid.
What should we keep in mind when giving life guidance?
Most important is to treat trainees the same as Japanese employees rather than as special cases. Patiently teach punctuality and tidiness, avoid scolding them in front of others, and explain things calmly in words.
What if a trainee becomes ill?
Social insurance applies just as for other workers, so trainees pay 30% of medical costs themselves. This co-payment is usually covered by the comprehensive insurance for foreign technical intern trainees.
Is enrollment in social insurance mandatory?
Yes. Under the Health Insurance Act and the Employees’ Pension Insurance Act, enrollment is mandatory with some exceptions. Failure to enroll is a violation of labor laws and may be deemed misconduct.
What happens if a company is not enrolled in labor insurance?
Workers’ accident compensation insurance and employment insurance are compulsory. They are needed if a trainee is injured at work or can no longer continue training, so non-enrollment is treated as misconduct just like social insurance.
How is the number of full-time staff determined?
The acceptance quota is based on the number of employees enrolled in employment insurance. Even in a company made up only of directors, a person is counted as an employee if full-time status is shown by the wage ledger and attendance records.
What if a water leak occurs in the dormitory?
For leased apartments or condominiums, the liability coverage of the comprehensive trainee insurance pays according to the damage suffered by the other party. Company-owned buildings are not covered, so please use the building’s fire insurance or similar.
