The Roles of Professionals Who Coordinate
Comprehensive Support
(Report on Discussions)
April 2023
Committee on the Roles of Professionals Who Coordinate
Comprehensive Support
Table of Contents
Introduction1
Chapter 1 Basic Concept ................................................................ 5
1 The significance of establishing training and certification
schemes for Foreign National Support Coordinators.................. 5
2 Current status of consultation and support provided to foreign
nationals ................................................................................. 8
(1) Efforts by national and local governments.......................... 8
A. Consultation systems for foreign nationals ................... 8
B. Delivery of information to facilitate life in Japan............ 9
C. Consultation systems designed for specific statuses of
residence ...................................................................10
(2) Survey results of foreign residents ...................................11
A. Survey results of foreign residents ..............................11
B. Findings from the survey conducted with local
governments ..............................................................12
(3) Consultations involving complex, multi-layered issues.......12
3 Challenges in connecting foreign residents to an appropriate
source of assistance and necessary measures.........................13
(1) Shortage of qualified staff ................................................13
(2) Difficulty finding qualified personnel .................................14
(3) Poor access to necessary information on living in Japan ...14
(4) Shortage of sources of assistance ....................................15
(5) Necessary actions for establishing a training and
certification system ..........................................................16
4 Ideal Foreign National Support Coordinators............................16
Chapter 2 Roles, skills, and training of Foreign National Support
Coordinators..................................................................18
1 Roles of Foreign National Support Coordinators.......................18
(1) Roles to fulfill and roles expected.....................................18
(2) Roles to fulfill ..................................................................18
A. Consulting support .....................................................18
B. Preventive support .....................................................19
(3) Foundation for smoothly connecting foreign residents to
appropriate sources of assistance ....................................20
(4) Roles expected: Cooperate to improve the environment for
acceptance foreign nationals by sharing challenges
identified through individual support .................................20
(5) Deployment of Foreign National Support Coordinators ......21
2 Skills and mindset expected of Foreign National Support
Coordinators...........................................................................22
(1) Abilities required of Foreign National Support Coordinators
(four abilities) ..................................................................22
A. Ability to accurately understand the status of residence
of foreign residents ....................................................22
B. Ability to understand different cultures and values .......22
C. Ability to help foreign residents adequately solve their
complicated, multifaceted problems ............................22
D. Ability to connect foreign residents to appropriate
sources of assistance .................................................23
(2) Mindset expected of Foreign National Support Coordinators
.......................................................................................24
3 Training for Foreign National Support Coordinators ..................24
(1) Key considerations ..........................................................24
(2) Training method...............................................................24
(3) Training and certification of Foreign National Support
Coordinators through a training program...........................25
A. Purpose .....................................................................25
B. Planned commencement.............................................26
C. Intended targets .........................................................26
D. Certification ...............................................................26
E. Process and curriculum ..............................................27
F. Implementation...........................................................30
G. Intended scale and outlook .........................................30
(4) Training for certification renewal ......................................31
(5) Training and certification of experts..................................31
Chapter 3 Actions to be addressed from FY2023 ............................33
1 Development of a curriculum for the training program...............33
2 Help those who have completed the training program to share
necessary information .............................................................33
(1) Release and use a special portal site for those who have
completed the training program ........................................33
(2) Hold case study workshops for those who have completed
the training program ........................................................34
3 Discuss how to improve the social valuation, status and
treatment of Foreign National Support Coordinators through their
training and certification systems.............................................34
4 Discuss how to promote assignment of Foreign National Support
Coordinators...........................................................................34
5 Discuss a certification system for highly-skilled support
professionals ..........................................................................35
6 Discuss how to share challenges identified through individual
support, including shortages of local sources of assistance, with
the national government and local governments, in order to
improve the environment for accepting foreign nationals ..........35
Conclusion 36
Committee on the Roles of Professionals Who Coordinate
Comprehensive Support List of panel members ......................37
List of past meetings .............................................................381Introduction
At the end of 2019, the number of foreign residents in Japan1
stood at
around 2.933 million. After a temporary decline due to the COVID-19
pandemic, the figure rose again to a record high of 2.962 million at the end of
June 2022, or 201,000 more than a year earlier. That is a significant increase
from the 1.219 million of over three decades ago at the end of 1991 and from
2.047 million over a decade ago at the end of 2011, and further increases are
expected.
The number of foreign workers and the number of businesses that employ
them stood at 486,000 persons and 77,000 establishments at the end of October
2008, when a system requiring notification of the employment status of foreign
nationals was instituted and thus relevant data became publicly available. Both
figures grew consistently and had more than tripled to record highs of 1.823
million persons and 299,0002
establishments as of the end of October 2022
(Reference Material 1).
Over the decade following the end of 2011, the composition of foreign
residents has changed considerably. Among the various nationalities, for
instance, the share of Vietnamese residents in Japan rose more than tenfold
from 44,000 to 476,000 persons (from 2.2 to 16.1 percent of the total). In
terms of status of residence, the number of foreign residents with the status of
Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services almost tripled from
110,000 to 300,000, and their share increased from 5.4 to 10.1 percent of the
total. Likewise, foreign residents with the status of Technical Intern Training
more than doubled in number from 143,000 to 328,000 (their share rose from
7.0 to 11.1 percent of the total) (Reference Materials 2 and 3).
In response to such continuous inflows, local governments with
concentrated communities of foreign residents3
began to take measures out of
necessity. Since around 2006, some local governments, universities, and other
institutions began to organize training programs for professionals on
multicultural coexistence.4,51Foreign residents refer to mid to-long-term residents and special permanent residents.2Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare, Summary of the notification of the
employment status of foreign nationals as of the end of October 20223Foreign residents refer to mid to-long-term residents, special permanent residents,
foreign nationals who have been granted landing permission for temporary refuge,
foreign nationals who have been granted permission for provisional stay, and foreign
nationals granted transitional stay due to birth or loss of nationality according to Article
30-45 of the Basic Resident Registration Act (Act No. 81, 1967).4Multicultural coexistence is interpreted in many different ways. For example, the Report
by the Council for the Promotion of Multicultural Coexistence (Ministry of Internal
Affairs and Communications (MIC), March 2006) defined the term "multicultural
coexistence in communities" as "coexistence among people of different nationalities,
ethnicities, and other attributes who try to build equal partnerships as local community
members with mutual respect for their respective cultures."
5 For instance, the Aichi Prefectural Government has initiated a multicultural social
worker training program in 2006. Tokyo University of Foreign Studies launched a
multicultural society coordinator training program in 2008, and findings from studies
conducted by the university were incorporated into a certification program offered by2In 2006, in response to emerging challenges involving education,
employment, and many other needs of foreign nationals, the national
government formulated the Comprehensive Measures for Foreign Nationals as
Residents6
as part of its efforts to build a more conducive environment for
foreign nationals residing in Japan so as to enable them to access public
services on equal terms with those of Japanese nationals as members of
society.
Later, the number of foreign residents reached a record high at the end of
2015 after two major dips, one following the financial crisis that reached a
critical stage in September 2008 and the other following the Great East Japan
Earthquake in March 2011. The increasing trend continued thereafter until the
end of 2019.
In June 2018, against this backdrop and the labor shortage keenly felt
particularly among smaller businesses, Japan has scaled up its efforts to attract
foreign talent by offering a newly introduced resident status of what is today
known as Specified Skilled Worker. In July 2018, the first round of the
Ministerial Conference on Acceptance and Coexistence of Foreign Nationals
(hereafter referred to as the "Ministerial Conference") was convened. The
Comprehensive Measures for Acceptance and Coexistence of Foreign
Nationals (hereafter referred to as the "Comprehensive Measures") defined in
the Ministerial Conference7
served as a basis for setting up subsidies for
preparations for an environment for the acceptance of foreign nationals.
Financial assistance was initiated for building and expanding a consultation
system. Since fiscal year 2018, the system has operated one-stop consulting
counters8
set up by local governments. In fiscal year 2020, the Foreign
Residents Support Center (FRESC9
) was opened to assist foreign nationals in
residing in Japan. Eight organizations10
that help foreign nationals to reside in
Japan have been brought together on a single floor in the center. They respond
the Institute for Multicultural Society Professionals. Since 2010, Gunma University has
implemented a multicultural community advancement officer training program
(Reference Material 10).6The measures were formulated at the Liaison Committee among Ministries and
Agencies on the Problems Faced by Foreign Workers on December 25, 2006. They
include measures for: (1) fostering a conducive living environment for foreign nationals
in local communities; (2) providing better education for the children of foreign
nationals; (3) improving the working environments of foreign nationals and encouraging
them to enroll in social insurance; and (4) an overhaul of the system for managing the
residency of foreign nationals.7The measures defined by the Ministerial Conference on December 25, 2018 are revised
annually.8The service counters respond to consultations from foreign residents in multiple
languages and provide general information regarding living in Japan.
9 FRESC is an abbreviation of Foreign Residents Support Center.10Residency Support Division and Disclosure Request Office of the Immigration
Services Agency; Tokyo Regional Immigration Services Bureau; Tokyo Legal Affairs
Bureau, Human Rights Department; Japan Legal Support Center (Houterasu); Tokyo
Labour Bureau Consultation and Support Office for Foreigners; Tokyo Employment
Service Center for Foreigners; Ministry of Foreign Affairs Visa Information; and Japan
External Trade Organization (JETRO)3to consultations from foreign nationals and help Japanese companies employ
foreign nationals. Local governments have also been developing their own
consultation systems.
In line with the Comprehensive Measures for Acceptance and Coexistence of
Foreign Nationals revised in 2020 (hereafter referred to as the "Comprehensive
Measures 2020"),11
the Immigration Services Agency began to study a
development of professionals who coordinate comprehensive support for
foreign nationals.
Next, in November 2021, following the Meeting of the Advisory Panel of
Experts for Realizing a Society of Harmonious Coexistence with Foreign
Nationals (hereafter referred to as the "Advisory Panel Meeting"), which was
organized as part of the Ministerial Conference, the Advisory Panel Meeting
submitted a proposal to the Minister of Justice as a co-chair of the Ministerial
Conference. The proposal recommended that the national government conduct
a discussion on training and certification schemes for coordinators of
comprehensive support.
In June 2022, given this recommendation, the Ministerial Conference
developed the Roadmap for the Realization of a Society of Harmonious
Coexistence with Foreign Nationals (hereafter referred to as the "Roadmap").
The Roadmap set fiscal year 2026 as a milestone to provide the training
needed to develop professionals capable of leading foreign nationals who are
facing problems in their lives to appropriate sources of assistance as well as
maintaining their expertise and raising their social status, in addition to
considering how the certification system for highly specialized support
professionals should be designed and arrive at a conclusion. In fiscal year
2022, the Roadmap called for consideration of the roles, abilities, etc. of
Coordinators with experts, etc. to arrive at a conclusion (Reference Materials
4, 5, and 6).
Thus, in October 2022, the Immigration Services Agency convened the
Committee on the Roles of Professionals Who Coordinate Comprehensive
Support (hereafter referred to as the "Committee") for experts and agency
personnel in order to discuss the expected roles, skills, training, and other
matters related to professionals who coordinate comprehensive support for
foreign nationals.
The Roadmap outlines three visions for Japan to pursue in order to build an
inclusive society in harmonious coexistence with foreign nationals. The
Committee recognized that both the training of such professionals and their
playing active roles as specialists are vital to turn these visions into reality.
This report summarizes conclusions from the Committee's studies on the
direction to take with regard to their roles, skills, training, and so forth. The
Committee conducted interviews with multicultural social workers from the
Kitakyushu International Association. In addition to discussion sessions, the
Committee conducted 20 rounds of interviews with local governments, other
relevant groups, foreign nationals, and other stakeholders. The Committee then
discussed the findings from these interviews (Reference Material 17).11Decision of the Ministerial Conference on July 14, 20204Necessary measures should swiftly be implemented based on this report.
Obviously, measures must constantly be adjusted in accordance with the
evolving circumstances foreign nationals face and the social landscape, as this
report is based on the current state of affairs.5Chapter 1 Basic Concept
1 The significance of establishing training and certification schemes
for Foreign National Support Coordinators
In 2017, the numbers of foreign residents and foreign workers reached
record highs, and a labor shortage was keenly felt, particularly among
smaller businesses. Against this backdrop, on June 15, 2018, the Japanese
Cabinet approved the Basic Policy on Economic and Fiscal Management
and Reform 2018. In addition to reinforced measures for productivity
growth and greater recruitment of domestic labor, the policy set a course
for attracting industry-ready foreign talent having a certain level of
expertise or skills by offering a new resident status that is now known as
Specified Skilled Worker in order for such talent to pursue employment in
Japan.
Subsequently, in July 2018, since further growth in the number of
foreign residents was expected, the national government recognized the
need to build a more conducive environment for them to ensure that their
human rights were protected and that they could work, study, and lead
unfettered lives as members of Japanese society. Necessary government-
wide efforts to be scaled up to build such a conducive environment
included multilingual response to consultations on issues encountered in
Japan and more robust Japanese language education. Such efforts should
be planned and coordinated by the Ministry of Justice, which is
responsible for immigration control, the residency of foreign nationals,
and the protection of human rights. Accordingly, the Cabinet approved the
basic policy for other relevant ministries and agencies to work more
closely with one another as well as for local governments to accept
foreign nationals effectively and efficiently under the leadership of the
Ministry of Justice.12
That same day, the ministers at the meeting verbally agreed to closely
coordinate with relevant administrative bodies and to organize another
ministerial conference for a government-wide discussion on building a
conducive environment for attracting more foreign talent having a certain
level of expertise and skills as well as realizing an inclusive society in
harmonious coexistence with foreign residents.13
At another round of the Ministerial Conference in December that same
year, the Comprehensive Measures were defined to push forward
initiatives for attracting foreign talent into a more inclusive society in a
robust, comprehensive manner. On that basis, subsidies for preparations
for an environment for the acceptance of foreign nationals were extended
to aid local governments in developing and expanding their consultation
systems. The Comprehensive Measures were updated annually to
introduce further initiatives for developing a more conducive
environment.
12 Basic Policy on Operations for the Development of an Environment for Acceptance of
Foreign Nationals (Cabinet decision on July 24, 2018)13Organization of the Ministerial Conference on Acceptance and Coexistence of Foreign
Nationals (verbal agreement at a cabinet meeting on July 24, 2018)6Meanwhile, foreign residents play increasingly important roles in
bolstering local economies and sustaining local communities. Community
development must be pursued while making life easier for foreign
nationals as valued community members. In this respect, to ensure that
foreign nationals can settle into their new lives and jobs in Japan with
peace of mind, adequate support must be provided to organizations and
individuals that assist them in their local communities. With this in mind,
in July 2020, the Comprehensive Measures 2020 included a study duly
initiated by the Immigration Services Agency on measures for a
development of professionals who coordinate comprehensive support for
foreign nationals.
Later, the first basic survey on foreign residents conducted in
September that same year revealed that a large percentage of foreign
nationals who responded that they face problems in their professional,
daily, or social lives did not know with whom to consult or how to obtain
necessary information.14
The Comprehensive Measures for Acceptance
and Coexistence of Foreign Nationals 2021 revised in June 202115
called
for a study on measures for a development of human resources who
coordinate comprehensive support for foreign nationals in reference to the
findings of the Basic Survey on Foreign Residents in FY2020.
Professionals who specialize in providing consultation and support to
foreign nationals were also discussed by the Advisory Panel Meeting
organized to explore a more desirable inclusive society, examine the
medium- to long-term issues to be addressed to build such a society
together with foreign nationals, and offer opinions to the Ministerial
Conference. In November that same year, the Advisory Panel Meeting
submitted a proposal to the Minister of Justice, as a co-chair of the
Ministerial Conference. In this proposal, the Advisory Panel Meeting
recommended a study on desirable systems for addressing the challenges
faced by foreign nationals, which should be conducted in coordination
with relevant agencies and with a solid understanding of the various types
of support being provided, while seeking expert opinions regarding a
system for the certification of professionals who coordinate
comprehensive support.
In response to this proposal, in June 2022, the government set out the
Roadmap at the Ministerial Conference.
The Roadmap outlines three visions (hereafter referred to as the "Three
Visions") for Japan to pursue toward the realization of the ideal society of
harmonious coexistence with foreign nationals, namely:
Safe and Comfortable Society
14 According to the Basic Survey on Foreign Residents in FY2020 (conducted in
September 2020), the most frequent trouble encountered by respondents in their attempts
to consult with public agencies was indicated by the answer "I did not know who to
consult" (31.4%). Regarding trouble associated with the COVID-19 pandemic or natural
disasters, the most frequent response was "I did not know where to access reliable
information" (20.2% and 12.6%, respectively).15Determined at the Ministerial Conference on June 15, 2021.7A society where foreign nationals are included as members of
Japanese society of the future, and where all people can live safely
and comfortably.
Diverse and Vibrant society
A diverse and vibrant society where all people, including foreign
nationals, from various backgrounds can participate and demonstrate
their abilities to their fullest.
Society that Respects Individual Dignity and Human Rights
A society where all people, including foreign nationals, respect each
other's individual dignity and human rights and can live without
discrimination or prejudice.
The Roadmap defines four key points among the medium- to long-term
issues that need to be addressed to turn these visions into reality. These
four points are: (1) initiatives such as Japanese language education for
smooth communication and participation in society; (2) disseminating
information to foreign nationals and strengthening consultation systems
for foreign nationals; (3) support for each life stage and life cycle; and (4)
initiatives to establish the foundation of a society of harmonious
coexistence. With respect to each point, the Roadmap defines specific
measures to be addressed the next five years and a work schedule for
specific policies.
The Roadmap defines the discussion of training and certification
schemes for coordinators of comprehensive support as a specific measure
that addresses all four key points.16
More concretely, a study must be
conducted to facilitate provision of the training needed to develop
professionals who can lead foreign nationals facing problems in their
lives to appropriate sources of assistance (hereafter referred to as
"Foreign National Support Coordinators," please note, however, that this
English translation is a provisional translation and is subject to change
upon closer examination) as well as maintaining their expertise and
raising their social recognition level. The study also must identify a
desirable certification system for professionals who provide assistance to
foreign nationals.
Establishment of a system for training and certification of Foreign
National Support Coordinators has been identified as an essential measure
for bringing to life the Three Visions of a safe and comfortable society, a
diverse and vibrant society, and a society that respects individual dignity
and human rights.
Foreign National Support Coordinators are expected to provide
necessary information for foreign nationals to solve problems in their
lives (such problems refer to those faced in their professional, daily, or
social lives) by swiftly finding out about available support services and
the correct course of action as well as unleashing their potential during
their steady, continuous residency in Japan. Coordinators are also
expected to draw on their expertise and skills to guide foreign nationals16Measures 4, 30, 65, and 86 defined in the Roadmap8who are facing problems in their lives to receive proper assistance to
solve them. Training and certification for such specialists to play active
roles will steadily advance Japanese society towards the realization of the
Three Visions.
Note that the foreign nationals to be supported by Foreign National
Support Coordinators are defined as individuals who do not possess
Japanese nationality as well as individuals who have roots in foreign
countries regardless of their nationality.
On a related note, Foreign National Support Coordinators are tasked
with supporting foreign nationals as described above. The effects of their
assistance will spill over to Japanese nationals in various forms beyond
the immediate benefits to foreign nationals. In this regard, the intended
measure will benefit both Japanese and foreign nationals.
2 Current status of consultation and support provided to foreign
nationals
(1) Efforts by national and local governments
(Reference Material 7)
A. Consultation systems for foreign nationals
(a) Foreign Residents Support Center (FRESC)
In July 2020, in accordance with a Cabinet decision to reinforce
the Comprehensive Measures for Acceptance and Coexistence of
Foreign Nationals,17
FRESC was established in Shinjuku, Tokyo
to respond to consultations not only from individual foreign
nationals but also from individuals and companies involved with
them in order to address concerns related to their residency.
FRESC brings together eight organizations from four ministries
and agencies on a single floor to help foreign nationals with
matters related to residency. These organizations provide a
coordinated response to consultations related to renewal or change
of status of residence, legal troubles, and other matters. FRESC
also supports local governments by, for instance, responding to
inquiries from local governments' one-stop consulting counters,
conducting training for local government personnel, and providing
relevant information.
In fiscal year 2021, FRESC responded to 90,593 consultation
cases related to residency, visas, employment, human rights, and
other topics.18
(b) One-stop consulting counters set up by local governments
for foreign nationals
Since fiscal year 2018, the Immigration Services Agency
(known as the Immigration Bureau, Ministry of Justice in fiscal
year 2018) has implemented the Comprehensive Measures by
17 Decision of the Ministerial Conference on June 18, 201918Current situation of consultations handled by the Foreign Residents Support Center
(FRESC) [Total number of consultations handled since December 2020 by topic]
(https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/content/001351198.pdf)9providing funding to prefectural and municipal governments to set
up, expand, and operate one-stop consulting counters, among other
measures. These counters have a mandate of responding to
consultations from foreign residents regarding topics such as
residency procedures, employment, medical care, social welfare,
childbirth, childcare, and education for children as well as of
providing relevant information. Funding is sourced from the
subsidies for preparations for an environment for the acceptance of
foreign nationals.
In fiscal year 2022, funding of 1.02 billion yen in total was
approved in response to applications from local governments.19
Using the approved funding, 251 local governments across Japan
set up and were operating one-stop consulting counters as of April
1 of that same fiscal year. The funding was also used to respond to
a total of 522,000 consultation cases regarding all topics in fiscal
year 2021. In addition to immigration formalities, the topics of
these consultations have included tax affairs, medical care, social
insurance, and pensions.20
B. Delivery of information to facilitate life in Japan
(a) A Daily Life Support Portal for Foreign Nationals
In April 2019, a multilingual web portal was deployed as part of
the Comprehensive Measures to deliver useful information to
foreign residents and their supporters. The portal named A Daily
Life Support Portal for Foreign Nationals21
also publishes Plain
Japanese Guidelines for Foreign Residents Support and other
relevant information for national agencies, local governments, and
parties concerned.
(b) Guidebook on Living and Working
As part of the Comprehensive Measures, in coordination across
ministries, the government compiled the Guidebook on Living and
Working to provide essential information to foreign residents for
living and working in Japan safely and comfortably. Topics
include residency procedures, labor laws, social insurance, crime
prevention, and traffic safety. The guidebook has been available
on A Daily Life Support Portal for Foreign Nationals since April
2019. Today, the guidebook is provided in 16 foreign languages
and plain Japanese.2219Approved recipients and amount of funding through the subsidies for preparations for
an environment for the acceptance of foreign nationals in fiscal year 2022 (as of April 1,
2022) (https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/publications/materials/nyuukokukanri02_00039.html)20Current state of one-stop consulting counters set up by local governments with
funding granted through the subsidies for preparations for an environment for the
acceptance of foreign nationals in fiscal year 2021 (August 2022)
(https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/publications/materials/nyuukokukanri02_00039.html)21https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/support/portal/index.html22https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/guidebook_all.html10C. Consultation systems designed for specific statuses of
residence
As explained below, pursuant to the Immigration Control and
Refugee Recognition Act (hereafter referred to as the "Immigration
Control Act"), assistance is institutionalized for foreign nationals
with certain statuses of residence in order to assist them live in Japan
under the guidance of hosting organizations and other such parties
by, for example, putting in place a sufficient consultation system.
(a) Specified Skilled Worker (i)
Some foreign nationals are sufficiently qualified to cope with
the diverse challenges they encounter in their workplaces and local
communities. Still, other foreign nationals admitted to Japan may
be deemed to be highly in need of assistance for living and
working in Japan. For instance, they may require response to
consultations and complaints related to troubles encountered in
their workplaces, life orientation for providing information on
living in Japan, and information related to administrative
procedures. Thus, certain kinds of assistance must be provided
according to an adequate plan, namely: (1) provide advance
guidance; (2) pick-up and drop-off when entering and leaving
Japan; (3) support with contracts necessary to secure
housing/living; (4) provide life orientation; (5) accompany for
official procedures; (6) provide opportunities to learn Japanese;
(7) respond to questions and complaints; (8) promote exchanges
with Japanese people; (9) support change of employment (in the
event of staff reductions, etc.); and (10) regular interviews and
reporting to administrative agencies.23
(b) Technical Intern Training
Each implementing organization is required to appoint a life
guidance counsellor from among their full-time employees. This
counsellor is tasked with guiding technical intern trainees during
their time in Japan. In any supervising-organization-type24
training, the supervising organization must adequately respond to
consultations from technical intern trainees, provide guidance and
advice to implementing organizations and technical intern trainees,
and take any other necessary measures to ensure that technical
intern trainees are properly trained and protected.2523Article 2-5, paragraph (6) of the Immigration Control Act, among others24There are two types of training in the Technical Intern Training Program depending
on the hosting organization. In supervising-organization-type training, the supervising
organization (e.g., a small- or medium-sized enterprise cooperative or chamber of
commerce) invites technical intern trainees to undergo technical training conducted by
affiliated companies or similar entities. In individual-enterprise-type training, Japanese
companies or other entities invite personnel of local companies, joint venture partners,
and/or other business partners that operate in foreign countries.25Act on Proper Technical Intern Training and Protection of Technical Intern Trainees
(hereafter referred to as the "Technical Intern Training Act"), Article 9, item (vi)
(Article 12, paragraph (1), item (iii), the Regulation for Enforcement of the Technical11The Organization for Technical Intern Training responds to
consultations from technical intern trainees in their native
languages by phone, email, and post.26
(c) Student
International students invited to Japan by Japanese language
education institutions, etc. represent a wealth of cultures and
lifestyles depending on their country or region of origin and
religion. Each host institution must appoint full-time staff tasked
with offering adequate advice for international students regarding
living and studying in Japan so that such students can focus on
their studies.27
(2) Survey results of foreign residents
(Reference Materials 8 and 9)
A. Survey results of foreign residents
Since fiscal year 2020, the Immigration Services Agency has
conducted basic surveys on foreign residents in order to accurately
understand the circumstances that foreign residents face and the
challenges they encounter in their professional, daily, and social
lives, as well as to better plan inclusive measures for foreign
nationals. The Basic Survey on Foreign Residents in FY2021 was
conducted from February to March 2022.28
According to the survey, with respect to consulting counters, the
most frequently voiced issues when consulting public institutions
(national, prefectural, or municipal government) was indicated by the
statement "I did not know who to consult" (31.5%). The second most
frequent response was "I had to take time off from work or school,
etc. to make a consultation" (23.4%). Other notable responses were
"I was sent around multiple departments before I could reach the
right one" (7.9%) and "The person in charge had little expert
knowledge" (4.6%).
Likewise, in relation to challenges involving childcare, 13.3% of
foreign residents whose children age six or younger live in Japan
responded "I don't know any place where I can talk about my worries
concerning child education and child-raising, and I don't know
anyone whom I can talk with about such worries." Some also
responded "I did not know who to consult" when asked about issues
when receiving medical care at hospitals, pregnancy and childbirth
issues, or disaster issues (8.0%, 4.9%, and 7.6%, respectively). With
regard to issues with pension and long-term care insurance, the most
Intern Training Act), Article 39, paragraph (3) (Article 52, item (xiv) of the Regulation
for Enforcement of the Technical Intern Training Act), among others26Article 87, item (ii) of the Technical Intern Training Act
27 Article 1, paragraph (1), item (xvi) of the Guideline on the Public Notice for the
Japanese Language Institutions, among others28Valid responses were obtained from 7,982 respondents among 40,000 surveyed
foreign residents (mid to long-term residents and special permanent residents) aged 18
and over.12frequent response was "I don't understand the system in detail"
(42.9% and 42.1%, respectively).
Asked about their desired support, the greatest portion of
respondents selected "appropriate advice about where to consult"
(48.0%) among options such as "carefully listening to what you are
saying while providing consultation" (25.2%), "one-stop service for
consultation" (23.3%), and the "existence of consultation services at
the agency or organization to which you belong" (14.4%).
In another survey conducted by a local government, asked whether
they had experienced any trouble at ward offices or other
administrative agencies, some responded that they did not know how
to carry out the formal procedures or that the staff member at the
service counter did not provide an adequate explanation to clear up
their doubts.29
B. Findings from the survey conducted with local governments
In July 2021, the Immigration Services Agency conducted a survey
of local governments' efforts related to harmonious coexistence
measures.30
In the survey, 67 percent of surveyed local governments responded
that they have set up a consulting counter.
Unfortunately, many local governments, including those without
any consulting counters, face difficulties involving securing and
training consulting staff members. In fact, the most frequently
mentioned problem related to consulting counters was understaffing
(51%) followed by underfunding (38%) and lack of expertise (25%).
Likewise, the most frequently mentioned problem related to
personnel for supporting foreign nationals was understaffing (54%)
followed by inexperience (45%) and underfunding (42%), indicating
that many local governments have difficulty training and securing
human resources to provide support.
(3) Consultations involving complex, multi-layered issues
Available consultation services for foreign nationals vary
considerably depending on their statuses of residence. In many cases,
specialized knowledge is required to respond to consultations from29The city government of Yokohama conducted an attitude survey of foreign nationals
in 2019. The findings were compiled in the city government's report published in March
2020. According to the report, asked whether they had experienced any trouble at ward
offices or other administrative agencies, some responded that they did not know how to
carry out the formal procedures (17.7%) or that the staff member at the counter did not
provide an adequate explanation to clear up their doubts (6.7%).
30 The findings are based on valid responses from 245 out of 308 targeted sub-national
governments (47 prefectural governments and 261 municipal governments). The targets
other than the prefectural governments were extracted from the governments of the top
150 municipalities with the greatest number of foreign residents or the top 150
municipalities with the greatest percentage of foreign residents according to the Surveys
of Population, Population Change and the Number of Households based on the Basic
Resident Registration as of January 1, 2020 conducted by the Ministry of Internal
Affairs and Communications (MIC), or those of core cities.13foreign nationals based on an accurate understanding of their issues and
statuses of residence.
In addition, consultations cover a wide range of issues including
immigration formalities, employment, labor affairs, social insurance,
pensions, tax affairs, medical care, childbirth, childcare, education,
Japanese language studies, disaster prevention, natural disasters,
housing, marital and other statuses, transportation, driving licenses,
interpretation, translation, and more.31
Responding to such wide-
ranging consultations requires knowledge of institutional arrangements.
To explain institutional arrangements in Japan understandably,
counsellors must know whether any similar arrangements are in place
in foreign nationals' home countries, not to mention their cultures and
customs.
Some foreign nationals may suffer from complex, multi-layered
problems involving, for instance, dire poverty, non-attendance of
school, domestic violence, divorce, or discrimination. Such foreign
nationals must be swiftly and properly referred to experts who can offer
the necessary support to resolve their problems.
3 Challenges in connecting foreign residents to an appropriate
source of assistance and necessary measures
(Reference Material 11)
As mentioned in the Comprehensive Measures 2020, in coping with
Japan's shrinking and aging population, foreign residents play
increasingly important roles in bolstering local economies and sustaining
local communities. Community development must be pursued while
making life easier for foreign nationals regardless of their nationalities
and other attributes.
Unfortunately, as mentioned in Section 2, despite consultation systems
being put in place, some foreign nationals who face problems in their
lives still cannot reach the consulting counters or access information on
the support they need. Worse still, some cannot receive adequate support
from the consulting counters that they have managed to reach.
Against this backdrop, the challenges underlying this situation have
been sorted out as follows along with necessary actions to address them.
(1) Shortage of qualified staff
Training professionals about multicultural coexistence has already
been attempted both in the public and private sectors. However,
progress in such training was outpaced by the surge in the number of
foreign residents who increasingly need support to address complex,
multi-layered issues, which few professionals are ready to handle.
Independent attempts to train such professionals have been hampered
by a lack of know-how. Few Japanese nationals know what kind of
knowledge, skills, and experience are needed, or how best to acquire
them.31Refer to the materials listed in Footnote 20.14To cope with this challenge, it is necessary to conduct training to
foster professionals who can handle complex, multi-layered issues.
Another factor compounds the problem. Consulting support for
foreign nationals requires specialized knowledge and professional skills
that can be cultivated through years of practical experience. The highly
specialized and unique nature of this profession is not sufficiently
recognized or understood in Japanese society. Many such professionals
are employed for fixed terms. They are belittled by society and treated
as being of lower status in their workplaces. As a consequence, their
professional development is stifled.
To address this problem, a national certification system should be
implemented for such professionals in order to properly evaluate their
expertise and to help them earn the respect of society.
Beyond the immediate future, it is necessary to explore remedial
measures for certified professionals to ensure that they receive proper
recognition and working conditions befitting of their expertise.32
(2) Difficulty finding qualified personnel
At present, there is not even a system for certifying the expertise and
skills needed to respond to consultations from foreign nationals who
face problems in their lives and to support them. Naturally, both
troubled foreign nationals looking for advisors as well as the operators
of consulting counters that would like to recruit and deploy qualified
professionals cannot find anyone sufficiently specialized to handle the
complex, multi-layered issues faced by foreign nationals.
The first step to addressing this problem is to implement the national
certification system for such professionals described in Subsection (1).
On top of that, certified professionals should be assigned a common
title so that they become more visible and earn the recognition and trust
of society as people become familiar with the certification system and
the standardized professional title.
(3) Poor access to necessary information on living in Japan
Not a few problems faced by foreign nationals in their lives could
have been prevented were adequate information on institutional
arrangements and procedures available, or such problems could have
been resolved before they escalated into serious trouble were the
foreign nationals able to have a timely consultation at a consulting
counter soon after the problems arose.33
For this reason, the latest accurate information should be provided to
foreign nationals soon after their entry to Japan so that they can
32 This challenge lies beyond the scope of the Committee's mandate to discuss the
expected roles, skills, and training of professionals who coordinate comprehensive
support for foreign nationals. It should therefore be discussed from fiscal year 2023
onward.
33 For instance, in the sixth round of the hearings with the relevant parties on December
16, 2022, someone commented that little-known consulting counters should be made
familiar to foreign nationals because more than a few of them leave Japan after much
distress without knowing with whom they could have consulted (Reference Material 17).15understand the institutional arrangements and procedures for starting a
new life in Japan as well as with whom they should consult when they
face problems. Relevant information is provided, for instance, by
hosting organizations and local governments through life orientation.
Still, many foreign nationals have not received any such life
orientation.34
The information provided is inadequately backed by
specialized knowledge to outline the institutional arrangements in
Japan and to explain the differences with those of the institutional
arrangements in foreign nationals' home countries. As a result, many
foreign nationals face problems living in Japan.35
To address this situation, in addition to conducting life orientation
soon after entry to Japan, accurate information backed by specialized
knowledge should be sufficiently provided at gatherings of foreign
nationals and on other occasions in order to help them avoid problems
living in Japan as well as to facilitate swiftly finding a proper
counsellor should any problem arise.
Such informational support could be provided not only by
professionals themselves in person but also through their provision of
guidance and advice to the persons in charge of life orientation.
However, this alone is not enough to adequately provide necessary
information in a timely manner to foreign nationals. Under the
Roadmap, local governments should provide more robust informational
support, while the Immigration Services Agency should duly produce
and make effective use of a life orientation video.
(4) Shortage of sources of assistance
In some communities, foreign nationals who face problems in their
lives cannot be referred to appropriate sources of assistance. This is
either because there are no such partners there, or they or their
counsellors and supporters cannot identify the potential partners who
are there.36
To address this problem, trusted professionals with common
purposes, roles, values, and ethics must engage in extensive
partnerships that go beyond their local communities (e.g., trust-based
information exchanges on potential partners as well as effective use of34In the Basic Survey on Foreign Residents in FY2021, 50.4 percent of foreign
nationals responded that they have not received any orientation to obtain necessary
information on living in Japan. Although 35.6 percent of foreign nationals surveyed
responded that they had received an orientation, only 16.6 percent responded that they
had heard about multilingual consulting counters during that orientation.35For instance, in the eleventh round of the hearings with the relevant parties on
January 25, 2023, someone commented that community members do provide answers to
questions by foreign nationals, but some answers are based only on the experience of the
person responding rather than accurate knowledge, which suggests that foreign nationals
may be being misinformed (Reference Material 17).
36 For instance, in the fifth round of the hearings with the relevant parties on November
22, 2022, someone commented that foreign nationals for whom no medical interpreters
are available at their city hospitals are sometimes referred to other groups identified
through a nationwide search (Reference Material 17).16information and communication technologies or the like to secure
support from or cooperation with partners beyond the local
community), and forge more extensive partnerships as well as build up
networks within their communities.
In addition, issues of missing partners in communities and other
challenges identified through personal assistance should be reported to
the national government and the relevant community in order to explore
measures for building a more receptive environment for foreign
nationals.
(5) Necessary actions for establishing a training and certification
system
Based on the reasoning in Subsections (1) through (4), a training and
certification system shall be established for Foreign National Support
Coordinators to implement the following four actions (hereafter
referred to as the "Four Actions"):
(1) Training for support professionals;
(2) Certification system for support professionals;
(3) Appropriate provision of information by support professionals;and(4) Increase in the number of sources of assistance by support
professionals (including cross-regional cooperation).
Meanwhile, the following and other studies lie beyond the scope of
the Committee, so they shall be considered and implemented from
fiscal year 2023 onward:37
○しろまる Studies to explore remedial measures for certified professionals to
receive proper recognition and working conditions befitting of
their expertise; and
○しろまる Discuss how to share challenges identified through individual
support, including shortages of local sources of assistance, with
the national government and local governments, in order to
improve the environment for accepting foreign nationals.
4 Ideal Foreign National Support Coordinators
Based on the reasoning in Sections 1 through 3 above, professionals are
expected to guide foreign nationals through the problems they face in
their lives towards solutions, properly respond to their consultations, and
ensure that accurate information is properly provided to them on
appropriate occasions. In this manner, professionals should help foreign
nationals avoid problems and, should any problems arise, swiftly find an
appropriate counsellor.
Accordingly, Foreign National Support Coordinators having the
following profile should be fostered and certified.
This initial definition should be revised as necessary in consideration
of the future circumstances faced by foreign nationals.37Refer to Sections 3 and 6 in Chapter 3 of this document.17[Ideal Foreign National Support Coordinators]
Individuals who can perform the tasks described in (1) and (2)
below based on their expertise in Japan's laws and systems38
and support services available to foreign residents as well as
consulting support skills.39
(1) Foreign National Support Coordinators build relationships of
mutual trust with foreign residents who seek help for
complicated, multifaceted problems in their lives, understand
their problems, draw up suitable support plans, give
necessary advice, contact sources of assistance, coordinate
assistance efforts with such sources of assistance, and help
foreign residents solve their problems with their consent.
If other support staff members are available, Foreign National
Support Coordinators provide them with necessary advice
and guidance regarding complicated, multifaceted cases for
which such other members are responsible.
(2) Foreign National Support Coordinators prevent foreign
residents from facing problems in their lives in Japan. To
enable foreign residents to smoothly reach out to the proper
place when in need, these coordinators help them understand
the gist of support systems and procedures in Japan as well
as the differences from those of their home countries by
giving advice and guidance directly or through support
providers during daily life orientations and other programs. In
addition, these coordinators provide foreign residents with
information on where they can seek help when in need.
38 The phrase "and other subjects" also refers to the institutional arrangements of other
countries.39Deployment of Foreign National Support Coordinators is intended to, for instance,
national and local governments, as well as hosting organizations of foreign nationals.18Chapter 2 Roles, skills, and training of Foreign National Support
Coordinators
1 Roles of Foreign National Support Coordinators
(Reference Material 12)
(1) Roles to fulfill and roles expected
Foreign National Support Coordinators must perform two kinds of
roles, namely providing personal assistance to foreign nationals (roles
to fulfill) as well as making a professional contribution to building a
more receptive environment for foreign nationals (roles expected).
Roles to fulfill refer to the essential role of Foreign National Support
Coordinators as professionals providing personal assistance to foreign
nationals. Such assistance is divided into consulting support and
preventive support as described in the ideal Foreign National Support
Coordinators (refer to Section 4 in Chapter 1).
The roles expected refer to the fulfillment of social expectations to
aid in building a more receptive environment for foreign nationals
based on one's professional insights informed by the challenges
identified through individual support.
As explained in Subsection (4) "Shortage of sources of assistance" in
Section 3 of Chapter 1 and elsewhere, personal assistance alone cannot
solve all problems. Still, Foreign National Support Coordinators who
provide personal assistance can assess conditions faced by troubled
foreign nationals, their challenges, associated factors, and so forth.
Naturally, as professionals trained and certified through a national
system, they must live up to expectations to apply their insights to
building a more receptive environment for foreign nationals.
(2) Roles to fulfill
A. Consulting support
Consulting support corresponds to the first assignment described
in the ideal Foreign National Support Coordinators.
More specifically, the term refers to the performance of tasks a.
through d. below as a Foreign National Support Coordinator at one's
department that is providing support (hereafter referred to as "one's
assigned post") to refer foreign nationals who seek consultation to
partners (administrative agencies, specialized institutions, support
groups, experts(those who can provide appropriate supports to
foreign nationals facing problems in their lives), or various service
providers) in the most efficient way in order to guide them to
solutions.
a. Perform the following steps (1) through (4) in response to
consultations from foreign nationals while drawing on one's
professional knowledge, experience, and skills.
(1) Accurate assessment of consultations involving complex,
multi-layered issues
(2) Formulation of cross-cutting plans to offer assistance that
specify the order in which problems should be resolved
(3) Consideration and selection of appropriate partners19(4) (If other personnel are available to respond to
consultations) Provision of guidance and advice on
complex, multi-layered issues to be handled by other
personnel tasked with responding to consultations (*)
* Instruct personnel tasked with responding to
consultations about how to serve as a contact point.
b. Communicate and coordinate with partners, and hand over
consultations to them.
c. Guide foreign nationals who seek consultation to solutions40bypresenting a plan for receiving available support and
collaborating with partners.
d. Collect outcomes from consultations handed over to partners,
accumulate them as part of one's know-how, and share such
know-how and other relevant information with other Foreign
National Support Coordinators.
B. Preventive support
Preventive support corresponds to the second assignment
described in the ideal Foreign National Support Coordinators.
More specifically, the term refers to the performance of tasks a. or
b. by each Foreign National Support Coordinator in response to the
problems faced by foreign nationals in their daily lives and assessed
through consulting support while drawing on one's own expertise
with the following aims: to help foreign nationals avoid such
problems by outlining institutional arrangements in Japan, and
informing them of the differences with institutional arrangements of
their native countries and other matters that require attention; and to
swiftly find the appropriate counsellors should any problems arise by
informing them of with whom they should consult in such
circumstances and providing them with other relevant information.
a. Provide information in person as a Foreign National Support
Coordinator or through orientations or similar events for foreign
nationals (hereafter referred to as "orientations or the like")
conducted by one's assigned post as described below, including
orientations or the like organized by third parties that have
received guidance and advice from the coordinator based on one's
own expertise.
Explanation of the basic rules for living in Japan through
videos, guidebooks, and the like (including the presentation
of personalized plans tailored to individual needs)
Introduction of consulting counters to contact in case of
trouble (by tapping into partnerships with specialized
institutions or the like, or support networks in one's assigned
area)
b. Provide the same information as described in a. as a Foreign
National Support Coordinator in orientations or the like40Under such guidance, foreign nationals are welcome to autonomously solve their own
problems by making independent choices.20conducted by external institutions or the like (including
orientations or the like organized after guidance and advice from
the coordinator based on one's own expertise)
(3) Foundation for smoothly connecting foreign residents to
appropriate sources of assistance
Foreign National Support Coordinators must forge more organic
partnerships with partners and expand such partnerships in response to
consultation needs to duly offer consulting and preventive support to
foreign nationals and to swiftly connect them with appropriate partners.
For this reason, Foreign National Support Coordinators must make
the following efforts A. and B. to promote mutual understanding with
sources of assistance and increase sources of assistance based on
support needs.
These efforts lay the foundation that enables Foreign National
Support Coordinators to fulfill their duties of providing consulting
support and preventive support.
A. Establish and maintain partnerships of mutual understanding with
partners based on an accurate assessment of their functions,
structures, and relevant institutional arrangements, and ensure
partners have an understanding of the functions and structures of the
department that is providing support.
B. Forge partnerships with new partners in response to current and
future consultation needs, and continuously provide adequate
consulting support.
(4) Roles expected: Cooperate to improve the environment for
acceptance foreign nationals by sharing challenges identified
through individual support
In addition to the specialized knowledge and skills they obtain as
professionals, Foreign National Support Coordinators develop a
comprehensive grasp of the realities, challenges, problems, institutional
shortcomings, and the like faced by foreign nationals in their assigned
communities by responding to consultations, providing information to
prevent problems, and providing personal assistance. Such insights of
Foreign National Support Coordinators should be applied to make
institutional and other improvements, in addition to helping them
provide personal assistance as part of their roles to fulfill.
Though their professional role cannot be taken for granted, Foreign
National Support Coordinators should live up to society's expectations
to aid in developing the environment for acceptance of foreign
nationals.
Accordingly, Foreign National Support Coordinators should assume
the roles expected to aid in building the environment for acceptance of
foreign nationals by, for instance, sharing their understandings of
challenges that they have obtained through individual support.
Foreign National Support Coordinators could help to facilitate
institutional reforms by the national government or local governments
by, for instance, presenting challenges (such as problems faced by local21foreign residents and shortages of sources of assistance) that they have
identified through individual support, providing relevant information
for understanding the actual situation, and proposing remedial
measures. In this manner, they can help fulfill the expectation of
building the environment for acceptance of foreign nationals.
(5) Deployment of Foreign National Support Coordinators
To achieve goals and plans, appropriate personnel must be deployed
to appropriate posts. The assigned roles and assigned posts of deployed
personnel are closely related factors that determine whether goals and
other objectives are achieved.
Accordingly, the assigned posts of Foreign National Support
Coordinators must be considered in addition to their assigned roles.
Since Foreign National Support Coordinators can fulfill the roles
described in the preceding Subsections (1) through (4) as well as guide
foreign nationals facing problems towards solutions by referring them
to appropriate sources of assistance, their deployment should prioritize
institutions and other posts that respond to consultations from foreign
nationals or which assist foreign nationals in living in Japan. Bearing in
mind what was explained in A. of Subsection (2), Section 2 in Chapter
1, Foreign National Support Coordinators should also be deployed to
institutions that are easily accessible to foreign nationals who work or
study in Japan.
For this reason, it is advisable to deploy Foreign National Support
Coordinators to national and local governments, places where foreign
nationals work or study, and other hosting organizations.
National and local governments operate consulting counters intended
for all foreign nationals. Such counters should be given priority.
Among these, it is advisable to deploy Foreign National Support
Coordinators to one-stop consulting counters operated by local
governments as well as FRESC and Immigration Information Centers,
which respond to a wide range of consultations from foreign nationals.
These counters are widely known among foreign nationals, are visited
by many foreign nationals, and have become a place foreign nationals
can depend on.
Meanwhile, it is unrealistic to deploy Foreign National Support
Coordinators to every hosting organization and similar institution
because the number of such business establishments alone amounted to
299,000 at the end of October 2022. It is not clear that there is a need
to be so extensive, either. Hence, it is reasonable to deploy Foreign
National Support Coordinators according to priority and to observe
their performance in practice before gradually scaling up their
deployment as necessary.
More specifically, the concept is that deployment of Foreign
National Support Coordinators should first be considered with hosting
organizations and the like that are mandated by institutional
arrangements on residency status to provide support to foreign22nationals having the status of Specified Skilled Worker (i), Technical
Intern Training, or Student.41
2 Skills and mindset expected of Foreign National Support
Coordinators
(Reference Material 13)
(1) Abilities required of Foreign National Support Coordinators
(four abilities)
The following four skills are expected of Foreign National Support
Coordinators in order for them to fulfill the roles assigned in the
preceding Section 1:
(1) The ability to accurately understand the status of residence of
foreign residents;
(2) The ability to understand different cultures and values;
(3) The ability to help foreign residents adequately solve their
complicated, multifaceted problems; and
(4) The ability to connect foreign residents to appropriate sources of
assistance.
A. Ability to accurately understand the status of residence of
foreign residents
The services that foreign nationals can access differ greatly
depending on their status of residency. Referring foreign nationals to
a partner that once assisted other foreign nationals may not resolve
their problems and can even complicate matters because assistance
may be unavailable to foreign nationals having a certain status. Each
foreign national who seeks consultation should be referred to an
appropriate partner based on an accurate assessment of said foreign
national's status of residency.
For this reason, Foreign National Support Coordinators must be
able to accurately understand the status of residence of foreign
residents based on solid knowledge of the laws and regulations
related to immigration control and other institutional arrangements
that govern the entry, exit, and residency of foreign nationals.
B. Ability to understand different cultures and values
Foreign nationals have been raised with different cultures,
customs, values, mother tongues, and social systems. To adequately
respond to their needs, such differences must be recognized.
For this reason, among various knowledge of foreign cultures,
social customs, and values, Foreign National Support Coordinators
must be familiar with cross-cultural understanding and demonstrate
an ability to understand different cultures and values.
C. Ability to help foreign residents adequately solve their
complicated, multifaceted problems
In order to guide foreign nationals facing complex, multi-layered
problems in their lives towards appropriate solutions, Foreign41Refer to Footnotes 23 and 25 through 27.23National Support Coordinators must be able to do the following:
accurately assess the complex, multi-layered problems faced by
foreign nationals who seek consultation based on relationships of
trust with them; accurately assess foreign nationals' circumstances;
formulate appropriate plans for offering assistance from a cross-
cutting perspective; offer appropriate advice; and communicate and
coordinate with partners.
For this reason, Foreign National Support Coordinators must be
able to help foreign residents adequately solve their complicated,
multifaceted problems by acquiring, for instance:
Knowledge and skills for responding to consultations by
building relationships of trust with foreign nationals who seek
consultation and accurately assessing their problems;
Knowledge and skills for accurately assessing complex, multi-
layered issues raised in consultations by carrying out the
consultation support process properly, and analyzing the
problems faced by foreign nationals in their daily lives as well
as the backgrounds of foreign nationals (e.g., matters pertaining
to children, women, the elderly, and workers);
Knowledge and skills for formulating appropriate plans for
offering assistance, offering appropriate advice, and
communicating and coordinating with partners related to the
code of conduct (values and ethics) of Foreign National Support
Coordinators, self-understanding and understanding of others by
Foreign National Support Coordinators, and formulation of plans
for offering assistance; and
Knowledge and skills for providing guidance and advice on
complex, multi-layered issues handled by other personnel tasked
with responding to consultations.
D. Ability to connect foreign residents to appropriate sources of
assistance
Achieving mutual understanding with partners is vital to ensure
that foreign nationals who seek consultation can receive adequate
support from such partners in accordance with the plans for offering
assistance. Foreign National Support Coordinators must forge
relationships with relevant agencies and partner with them based on
an accurate understanding of the roles played by partner agencies in
various areas and the relevant institutional arrangements that govern
them in Japan.
For this reason, Foreign National Support Coordinators must be
able to connect foreign residents to appropriate sources of assistance
by acquiring:
An understanding of the roles of the relevant agencies in each
area as well as knowledge of Japanese laws, regulations, and
institutional arrangements concerning residency and employment
of foreign residents that relates to either the purpose, legal
basis, and roles of nationally established agencies or the like or24to Japanese laws, regulations, and institutional arrangements
concerning residency and employment of foreign nationals in
Japan or similar institutional arrangements in other countries;
Skills for forging relationships with relevant agencies and
partnering with them.
(2) Mindset expected of Foreign National Support Coordinators
As a general rule, fulfillment of the duties of any occupation requires
a proper attitude, mindset, and key competences that are expected of
such occupation.
The same applies to Foreign National Support Coordinators. As
professionals who provide consulting support and other forms of
assistance in person, aside from the aforementioned skills, they must
maintain an attitude of serving foreign nationals who have problems in
their lives in Japan with respect for foreign nationals' dignity and
human rights, and must practice empathy and patience no matter the
circumstances by carefully listening to their concerns and putting
themselves in foreign nationals' places.
3 Training for Foreign National Support Coordinators
(1) Key considerations
As explained in the preceding Section 2, Foreign National Support
Coordinators must provide consulting and preventive support
professionally to foreign nationals who reside and engage in activities
in Japan. Their tasks are challenging because assistance must be
adjusted according to foreign nationals' statuses of residency as well as
the different cultures, customs, values, mother tongues, and
institutional frameworks that foreign nationals were raised with.
Foreign National Support Coordinators are therefore expected to apply
their expertise and practical skills to provide consulting support and to
lead foreign nationals facing complex, multi-layered problems towards
solutions, while pursuing their goals and following the code of conduct
(values and ethics).
In other words, in consideration of the nature of Foreign National
Support Coordinators' assignments, necessary specialized knowledge
and skills cannot simply be acquired all at once. These must be honed
alongside practical skills through years of experience before Foreign
National Support Coordinators can establish themselves as specialized
professionals.
Foreign National Support Coordinators must be trained with these
points in mind.
(2) Training method
As emphasized in the preceding Subsection (1), Foreign National
Support Coordinators must apply their specialized knowledge and skills
in practice; such knowledge and skills cannot be developed by
classroom lectures alone.
Professionals are usually produced through training or a national
qualification system. Bearing in mind what was emphasized in the25preceding Subsection (1), training that involves practical exercises,
case studies, and similar programming remains essential for Foreign
National Support Coordinators even if a national qualification system is
to be introduced.
A logical approach is to foster Foreign National Support
Coordinators through a training program and to recognize their
expertise upon completion of the program or through a national
qualification system. In the immediate future, it is difficult to introduce
a national qualification system when coordinators who offer consulting
support are not deployed in a unified manner at present.
Thus, it is more appropriate to foster Foreign National Support
Coordinators through a training program and to certify them upon
completion of said program.
Still, as mentioned earlier, practical exercises, case studies, and
similar programming will be a vital part of the necessary training
program. It would take an enormous amount of time and money to
produce professionals with established expertise through a training
program alone. Meanwhile, as the recent surge in the number of foreign
residents is expected to continue, Foreign National Support
Coordinators must be fostered as quickly as possible.
Against this backdrop, a training program (hereafter referred to as
the "training program") shall be initiated in order to foster Foreign
National Support Coordinators. Individuals who complete the training
program (hereafter referred to as "graduates") shall be certified for
their ability to perform basic tasks as Foreign National Support
Coordinators.
In other words, the development of professionals is sought to foster
Foreign National Support Coordinators who can perform basic tasks
because it is admittedly difficult to immediately produce professionals
with established expertise. It is appropriate to foster professionals with
established expertise over the medium- to long-term from fiscal year
2023 with an eye towards introducing a national qualification system
later.
(3) Training and certification of Foreign National Support
Coordinators through a training program
A. Purpose
Professionals should be fostered so that they understand the roles
of Foreign National Support Coordinators as well as acquire and
apply the foundational set of specialized knowledge and skills to be
certified and perform their basic tasks as Foreign National Support
Coordinators.
Training and national certification serve to raise the visibility of
Foreign National Support Coordinators, recognition for their
expertise, and society's trust in them. By enabling Foreign National
Support Coordinators to provide accurate and sufficient information,
the four actions are implemented in response to the challenges
presented in Section 3 of Chapter 1, namely: (1) training for support26professionals; (2) certification system for support professionals; (3)
appropriate provision of information by support professionals; and
(4) increase in the number of sources of assistance by support
professionals (including cross-regional cooperation).42
B. Planned commencement
As mentioned in the preceding Subsection (2), the recent increase
in the number of foreign residents is expected to continue. As
described in Subsection (2) of Section 2 and Section 3 in Chapter 1,
a wide range of challenges must be addressed to respond to
consultations from foreign nationals today. To foster Foreign
National Support Coordinators as quickly as possible, a curriculum
for the training program is to be considered during fiscal year 2023
in line with the Roadmap in preparation for commencement during
fiscal year 2024.
C. Intended targets
The training program to commence in fiscal year 2024 will
initially target personnel currently engaged in assignments to
respond to consultations in person or engaged in providing guidance
and advice to other personnel tasked with responding to
consultations whose practical experience43
from such assignments at
consulting counters for foreign nationals operated by the national
government, local governments, or other organizations mandated by
either of the former two over a certain period44
(with respect only to
the provision of consulting support to foreign nationals) can be
objectively verified.
Additional targets for the training program will be considered
while observing, for instance, the progress of the program and the
performance of graduates as Foreign National Support
Coordinators.45
D. Certification
In recognition of program completion, certificates shall be issued
to graduates to qualify them as Foreign National Support
Coordinators.4642As explained in Subsections (3) and (5) of Section 3 in Chapter 1, not all challenges
can be addressed through training and certification of Foreign National Support
Coordinators. Challenges beyond the scope of the Committee are to be examined and
addressed from fiscal year 2023 onward (refer to Chapter 3 below).43One year or more of full-time service or a comparable number of hours (to be
determined during fiscal year 2023 in consideration of the requirement of 8 hours
multiplied by the number of working days in a fiscal year) is expected.
44 Practical experience is not required for Foreign National Support Coordinators whose
mastery of a certain level of knowledge and skills for providing consulting support can
be objectively verified by a national qualification.
45 At this time, they may include personnel who provide consulting support in hosting
organizations and non-governmental organizations as well as personnel who respond to
consultations from those who are not foreign nationals.46The issuance and awarding of a digital badge may be considered in the future
depending on the performance of graduates in order to enable them to electronically27Completion of refresher training shall be required for certificate
renewal (expected to be once every three years) to maintain and
enhance their levels of expertise.
E. Process and curriculum
(Reference Materials 14 and 15)
(a) Overall process
Foreign National Support Coordinators shall be fostered through
a combination of self-study, practical exercises, and group training
(in-person) so that they deepen an understanding of their roles,
acquire the necessary foundational set of specialized knowledge and
skills, and become able to perform basic tasks by applying the
specialized knowledge and skills that they acquire through practical
exercises and case studies.
Each round of the training program shall last no longer than half a
year so as not to overburden the intended trainees, all of whom
already provide consultation and support. Knowledge of laws,
regulations, and institutional arrangements as well as other
knowledge and skills expected to be required for Foreign National
Support Coordinators shall be acquired online to the extent possible.
Keeping these points in mind, the training program shall be
conducted using the overall process presented in Reference Material14.(b) Training program 1 (online training)
a. Lectures for acquiring basic knowledge and skills
Lectures are conducted for trainees so that they come to
understand the significance of Foreign National Support
Coordinators and acquire the necessary basic knowledge and
skills presented in Subsection (1), Section 2 of Chapter 2.
Regarding the methods for providing guidance and advice, the
training program is only designed to facilitate acquisition of the
relevant knowledge because such guidance and advice
(supervision or the like) cannot be provided without any practical
experience as a Foreign National Support Coordinator.
To ease the burden on trainees who must also fulfill their
professional duties, the total number of lecture hours shall be
around 60 hours47
as a reasonable amount of time for acquiring
the basic knowledge and skills expected of Foreign National
Support Coordinators. Within two months, trainees shall be
required to attend all lectures accessible on demand (lecturers
shall respond to questions by email or similar means) and take
the review test described below.
Keeping in mind what was explained earlier, Reference
Material 15 presents the breakdown of training program 1 as
prove that they have completed the training program by presenting the badge on
websites, in email, and elsewhere.47Working professionals at night college can attend lectures for roughly 60 hours per
month (3 hours (2 classes per day) for 20 lecture days per month).28considered by the Committee for acquiring the necessary
knowledge and skills in 64 hours.
Trainees who can objectively be verified to have acquired
sufficient knowledge and skills to provide consultation and
support as Foreign National Support Coordinators on the basis of
national qualifications48
should advisably be exempted from, for
instance, part of the subjects covered by training program 1,
depending on the relevant qualification.
b. Review test
A comprehension test shall be conducted at the end of each
lecture. A review test shall then be conducted after all lectures
have been attended. Only those who pass the test can proceed to
practical exercises.
The review test can be taken as many times as necessary within
the two-month period defined in the preceding Item a. because
this curriculum is intended to ensure the necessary knowledge
and skills have been acquired.
c. Assignments for practical exercises
Specialized knowledge and skills acquired in this curriculum
must take root in practice and be translated into practical
performance through practical exercises conducted as a next step.
This requires a sense of purpose, daily reflection and
metacognition for capacity building.
In preparation for such practical exercises, each trainee who
passes the review test described in the preceding Item b. must
complete the given assignment.
As a means of enhancing the effectiveness of case studies and
other activities in training program 2 by incorporating the efforts
made for such assignments, the holding of an online assignment
briefing session shall be considered in order to give the lecturer
in charge an opportunity to explain the assignment to each
trainee and to give both the lecturer and trainees an opportunity
to get to know each other.
(c) Practical exercises
In the training program intended for personnel who already
provide consultation and support, trainees must apply a foundational
set of specialized knowledge and skills acquired in training program
1 (hereafter referred to as the "foundational set of specialized
knowledge and skills) in their own workplaces, work on their
assignments, and practice daily reflection and metacognition.
Trainees are instructed to submit the outcomes of their practical
exercises before the exercise process ends in order to practice
reflection and metacognition for the entire process. In this manner,
the acquired abilities can serve as a basis for case studies in the48For instance, qualifications as Certified Social Workers, Career Consultants, and
Certified Public Psychologists could possibly be entitled to such an exemption.29subsequent training program 2 implemented for the capacity
building required of Foreign National Support Coordinators.
To this end, each trainee must engage in practical exercises for
three months at the trainee's own workplace.
Outcomes from the assigned practical exercises submitted from
each trainee are evaluated by a lecturer who takes charge of the
trainee in training program 2 in terms of the level of comprehension
of the assignment and its purpose, the approach and policy taken
with the assignment and application of the foundational set of
specialized knowledge and skills, the trainee's performance in the
exercise considered in line with the policy, and application of the
foundational set of specialized knowledge and skills. This is in
addition to taking into account the trainee's performance in the tests
conducted in training program 1. In accordance with the assessment
results, necessary guidance and advice shall be provided to each
trainee through group training conducted in training program 2.
(d) Training program 2 (group training)
a. Group training
In-person group training is conducted so that trainees can share
their insights and experiences as well as engage in case studies
(including group discussions). This way, trainees can broaden
their horizons and adopt cross-cutting perspectives while
building a network of peers who share the same purpose based on
mutual understanding.
Case studies are organized into small interactive groups of 15
or fewer trainees to ensure that each lecturer can properly guide
his or her trainees and that all trainees can actively take part in
discussions.
Regarding the required period, group training shall last two
days to ease the burden on trainees while securing the necessary
amount of time for case studies.
As for training sites, training shall be held at a single location
in order to standardize the training and to promote mutual
understanding and development of a peer network among
trainees, as already mentioned. Depending on the progress of the
training program from fiscal year 2024, multiple training sites
may be considered as necessary.
b. Completion test
A written completion test consisting of multiple-choice
questions shall be conducted on the second day of each group
training. Certificates shall be issued for successful trainees
announced at a later date to qualify them as Foreign National
Support Coordinators.
Going beyond simple testing of knowledge and skills and with
reference to examinations for other national qualifications, each
test shall require examinees to choose the correct responses for
cases presented in problem statements.30Trainees who fail to pass their completion tests shall not
receive a completion certificate and instead must undergo the
training program again. Any exemptions for trainees who must
repeat the training program to, for example, skip some lectures in
training program 1 must be considered in terms of advisability.
F. Implementation
The training program shall be conducted primarily by the
Immigration Services Agency. Still, it is difficult for the agency to
mobilize the necessary lecturers and prepare training sites alone. The
program must tap into what is already available in collaboration with
the relevant ministries and agencies. Outsourcing should be
considered to cover any shortfalls.
The Immigration Services Agency should nevertheless ensure the
quality of any outsourced training activities and the qualifications of
the lecturers in charge. The case studies through group discussions
are notable examples because they must be conducted by lecturers
with insights into multicultural coexistence and sufficient
knowledge, skills, and experiences from providing personal
assistance.
Organization of the training program for a fee (collected to cover
actual costs) is deemed appropriate because as many Foreign
National Support Coordinators as possible must be produced from
among the determined individuals having a spirit of service, and
because other national qualification examinations are subject to a fee
(the exact amount shall be considered later).
G. Intended scale and outlook
With due attention to Subsection (5) in Section 1 of Chapter 2, a
sufficient number of Foreign National Support Coordinators must be
trained and certified to serve at every counter of FRESC, the
Immigration Information Centers, and the one-stop consulting
counters set up and operated by local governments awarded subsidies
for preparations for an environment for the acceptance of foreign
nationals. Considering the number of one-stop consulting counters
today,49
this means that at least 300 Foreign National Support
Coordinators must be deployed.
Such a number is difficult to achieve in the immediate future
because the training program (notably, case studies in group
training) entails the recruitment of a lecturer with a high degree of
expertise.
For this reason, the goal for the immediate future has been set as
deploying at least 300 Foreign National Support Coordinators by the
end of fiscal year 2026, which is the final year of the current
Roadmap.
49 As of April 1, 2022, the number includes FRESC (1 location), Immigration
Information Centers (11 locations), and one-stop consulting counters set up and operated
by local governments awarded subsidies for preparations for an environment for the
acceptance of foreign nationals (251 local governments).31With only one Foreign National Support Coordinator assigned to
each counter, foreign nationals are highly likely receive no
assistance when the coordinator is away responding to other
consultations. To avoid such a situation, at least two coordinators
should be stationed at each counter. Accordingly, once 300 Foreign
National Support Coordinators have been produced, the next goal
should be to recruit and retain 600 coordinators as soon as possible.
Later, while maintaining two Foreign National Support
Coordinators at each counter of FRESC, the Immigration Information
Centers, and the one-stop consulting counters set up and operated by
local governments awarded subsidies for preparations for an
environment for the acceptance of foreign nationals, the number of
deployed coordinators will be considered based on the progress in
deployment of coordinators at one-stop consulting counters, their
work performance, and findings from studies on their deployment to
hosting organizations or the like.
The scale of the training program should be carefully reviewed
annually to reliably address any problems by making improvements.
(4) Training for certification renewal
Bearing in mind what was explained in Item D. in the preceding
Subsection (3), each certificate (in recognition of completion of the
training program) shall be valid for three years.
In addition, training for certification renewal shall be conducted to
reverify each certificate holder's grasp of the current state of and
challenges for the development of a receptive environment for foreign
nationals, as well as their basic knowledge and skills. A new certificate
(a certificate of completion of training for certification renewal) with a
new expiry date (certificates of completion of training for certification
renewal shall be valid for the same period as certificates of completion
of the training program) shall be issued to all program graduates who
complete the refresher training conducted in the final year before the
expiration of their certificates.
(5) Training and certification of experts
(Reference Material 16)
To achieve the Three Visions to be pursued under the Roadmap,
Japan must produce a large number of highly qualified Foreign
National Support Coordinators and ensure that their professional roles
take root in society. To this end, it is also necessary to train and certify
experts with solid knowledge and skills honed through years of
experience as Foreign National Support Coordinators to serve as role
models for junior peers, to provide them with necessary advice and
guidance, and to support their professional development.
To foster and certify such experts, in addition to training for
certification renewal, another training program (training of trainers)
shall be considered for Foreign National Support Coordinators with at
least three years of practical experience (some ingenuity is necessary to
objectively distinguish these experts in certificates by assigning them a32special title, such as "Foreign National Support Coordinator (Expert),"
or similar.)
In relation to Subsection (2) in Section 3 of Chapter 2, a national
qualification is conceivable for such experts who gain further practical
experience and pass an examination or the like. These experts
understand and practice the purpose, roles, code of conduct, and the
like as Foreign National Support Coordinators. They can formulate
plans in a cross-cutting manner to address complex, multi-layered
problems that span a wide range of areas; guide foreign nationals
towards solutions by choosing appropriate partners for them; and
properly guide their junior peers in professional development as
Foreign National Support Coordinators.33Chapter 3 Actions to be addressed from FY2023
1 Development of a curriculum for the training program
In line with the Roadmap and based on this report, a curriculum should
be developed in fiscal year 2023 towards commencing the training
program in fiscal year 2024.
More specifically, the personnel from the Immigration Services Agency
on the Committee and other experts are expected to discuss and decide on
how the program should be implemented50
under what overall plan with
what kinds of guidelines, lecturers, training sites, public relations
strategy, and other details, such as those regarding the curriculum,
materials, and guidelines for advance training of lecturers.
2 Help those who have completed the training program to share
necessary information
Foreign National Support Coordinators must constantly upgrade their
knowledge of institutional arrangements across a wide range of areas.
They must formulate plans for offering necessary assistance even if they
have not previously handled the complex, difficult problems involved. If
there are no adequate partners in their communities, they must conduct
deeper searches so that foreign nationals can consult with appropriate
partners.
The national government should support program graduates in
overcoming these difficulties and fulfilling their common roles. It should
set up a system for facilitating communication and collaboration among
them so that they can chart paths to solutions while sharing their insights.
In addition, program graduates should be kept up to date on relevant
laws and regulations so that they can provide appropriate responsive or
preventive support in accordance with the current social situation and
institutional arrangements. The training and certification system should
also be upgraded based on the requests and progress made by program
graduates.
Towards these ends, the following two actions shall be taken:
(1) Release and use a special portal site for those who have
completed the training program
The deployment and use of a web portal with the following functions
especially for training program graduates shall be considered. In fiscal
year 2023, the details of the functions shall be considered to give shape
to the portal. From fiscal year 2025, the web portal will be built and
put into operation. In this way, it will become possible to expand
50 Matters to be considered include how to train lecturers for the training program; how
to facilitate aspiring trainees in joining the training program by easing the burden
through, for example, public relations campaigns and announcements to aid them in
obtaining the understanding of their affiliated organizations or employers; and how tools
should be effectively used, such as to facilitate communication among the Immigration
Services Agency, lecturers, and trainees during the training program (with due
consideration given to information security measures and protection of personal
information).34partnerships among professionals both within and beyond their
communities, which is the last of the Four Actions to be taken in
response to the challenges presented in Section 3 of Chapter 1.
A. A database of program graduates to enable them to collaborate in
sharing insights and offering assistance (*the intent is to convert
the list of program graduates into a database)
B. An electronic bulletin board for administrative communications
from the Immigration Services Agency, and relevant updates from
the national government on, for example, laws, regulations, and
institutional arrangements
C. A function to conduct questionnaire surveys in order to collect
requests from program graduates and to keep track of their
activities
(2) Hold case study workshops for those who have completed the
training program
Aside from the web portal, how case study workshops and the like
should be conducted (e.g., whether any guidelines are necessary) shall
be considered in order to enable program graduates to share their
insights and to encourage collaboration among them while protecting
their personal information and ensuring confidentiality.
3 Discuss how to improve the social valuation, status and treatment
of Foreign National Support Coordinators through their training
and certification systems
As pointed out in Subsection (1) in Section 3 of Chapter 1, the highly
specialized nature of the profession that provides consultation and support
to foreign nationals has not been sufficiently recognized or understood by
society, nor has the importance of the professionals who provide such
support and the need for specialized training with due consideration to
their assignments. Their expertise has been underappreciated in society,
and such professionals are in short supply.
From fiscal year 2023, studies shall be conducted to explore remedial
measures through this system so that Foreign National Support
Coordinators and other professionals who play vital roles at one-stop
consulting counters run by local governments and elsewhere receive
proper recognition and working conditions commensurate to their
expertise.51
4 Discuss how to promote assignment of Foreign National Support
Coordinators
In accordance with the Roadmap and Subsection (5) in Section 1 of
Chapter 2, measures for promoting the deployment of Foreign National
Support Coordinators shall be considered in fiscal year 2023.
51 The studies seek to address "Shortage of qualified staff" as a challenge described in
Subsection (1) in Section 3 of Chapter 1, which also covers measures for building a
more conducive working environment for Foreign National Support Coordinators to fully
utilize their professional capabilities.355 Discuss a certification system for highly-skilled support
professionals
In accordance with the Roadmap and Subsections (2) and (5) in Section
3 of Chapter 2, from fiscal year 2023, recognition of Foreign National
Support Coordinators through a national qualification shall be considered
while taking into account the performance of program graduates as well
as other national qualification systems and how they are operated. The
curriculum, method, and other aspects of the training program shall be
evaluated and revised as necessary depending on how the training
program is conducted and how program graduates perform as Foreign
National Support Coordinators. Broader targets for the training program
shall also be considered alongside another training program for fostering
and certifying experts (refer to Item C. in Subsection (3) and Subsection
(5) in Section 3 of Chapter 2).
6 Discuss how to share challenges identified through individual
support, including shortages of local sources of assistance, with
the national government and local governments, in order to
improve the environment for accepting foreign nationals
As pointed out in Subsection (4) in Section 1 of Chapter 2, Foreign
National Support Coordinators gain an understanding of the realities and
challenges faced by foreign nationals in their communities, the
shortcomings of institutional arrangements, and other issues encountered
while offering personal assistance. However, Foreign National Support
Coordinators cannot address all these issues by themselves.
For instance, partners that can offer appropriate assistance are essential
for guiding foreign nationals through the problems they face in their lives.
If there are no such partners in the community to begin with, the main
task of the Foreign National Support Coordinator is to find the best
possible partner available by tapping into the coordinator's partnerships
beyond the community. Difficulties faced by Foreign National Support
Coordinators in solving issues in their local communities must be reported
to national and local governments in order to spur development of a more
receptive environment for foreign nationals.
Accordingly, from fiscal year 2023, measures shall be explored for
Foreign National Support Coordinators to become able to report any
missing partners in their communities to the national and local
governments to spur development of a more receptive environment for
foreign nationals.36Conclusion
The Committee has defined the expected roles, skills, and necessary training
for Foreign National Support Coordinators so as to provide a basis for
establishing a dedicated system for them. The panel has also defined actions to
be addressed FY2023 to enable Foreign National Support Coordinators to
thoroughly fulfill their professional roles in society.
This report should serve as a basis for further considerations in order to
reliably establish a dedicated system for Foreign National Support
Coordinators.
As demonstrated by the studies from this fiscal year, consideration of the
roles, skills, and training of Foreign National Support Coordinators is only the
first step in efforts to be continued in subsequent fiscal years toward a society
that is more inclusive of foreign nationals. More studies are necessary to
address the issues uncovered by the panel. Such issues must be examined
comprehensively with an eye to building a more receptive environment for
foreign nationals with due attention given to the circumstances surrounding
Foreign National Support Coordinators.
In achieving the Three Visions defined in the Roadmap, a robust system
should be established to enable trained, certified Foreign National Support
Coordinators to play active roles and to continuously develop a more receptive
environment for foreign nationals.37Committee on the Roles of Professionals Who Coordinate Comprehensive Support
List of panel members
As of March 24, 2023
[Members]
(Immigration Services Agency)
Chair ISOBE Tetsuro Director of the Policy Planning Division
WATANABE Hiroshi Director of the Residency Support Division, Residency
Management and Support Department
FUJITA Saori Director for Training and Research
KIMURA Toshio Director of the Foreign Residents Policy Planning
Office
(Experts)
AOYAMA Toru Vice President for academic affairs, Tokyo University of
Foreign Studies
ISHIKAWA Kumiko Professor Emeritus, Nihon Fukushi University
KUBOTA Koji Executive Director, International Dependent, Planning and
Coordination Bureau, CITY OF KITAKYUSHU
KOYAMA Kenta Associate Professor, Faculty of Communication Studies,
Tokyo Keizai University
Director, Research Laboratory for Cross-Cultural
Organization and Career Development, Tokyo Keizai
University
TAMURA Taro Chief-Director, Institute for Human Diversity Japan
YUKI Megumi Professor, Organization for Higher Education and Student
Service, Gunma University
Professor, Faculty of Informatics and Graduate School of
Social and Information Studies, Gunma University
[Observers]
Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications
HATAKEYAMA Eisuke Director, International Affairs Office, Local Administration
Bureau
Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology
ISHIDA Yoshiaki Director, International Education Division, Education
Policy Bureau
KOBAYASHI Yosuke Director, International Affairs Division, Higher Education
Bureau
ENNYU Yumi Director, Japanese Language Division, Agency for Cultural
Affairs
Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare
KIKUTA Masaaki Director, Employment Security Bureau, Ministry of Health,
Labour, and Welfare
KOKUBUN Kazuyuki Director, Career Development Support Office, Director-
General for Human Resources Development, Ministry of
Health, Labour, and Welfare
(Names have been listed without honorifics.)38Committee on the Roles of Professionals Who Coordinate Comprehensive
Support
List of past meetings
First meeting: October 24, 2022
○しろまる Organization of meetings by the Committee on the Roles of Professionals Who
Coordinate Comprehensive Support
○しろまる Consultation and support currently provided to foreign nationals
○しろまる Issues to be discussed
○しろまる Roles, skills, and training of professionals who coordinate comprehensive support
○しろまる Schedule for the future
Second meeting: December 5, 2022
○しろまる Interview with the Kitakyushu International Association to find out how they
respond to consultations
○しろまる Basic Concept
○しろまる Roles and skills of professionals who coordinate comprehensive support
Third meeting: January 13, 2023
○しろまる Skills and training of professionals who coordinate comprehensive support
○しろまる Actions to be addressed from FY2023
Fourth meeting: February 16, 2023
○しろまる Compilation of a draft report
Fifth meeting: March 24, 2023
○しろまる Compilation of a draft report
Reference Materials
Ref. 1 Trend in the Number of Foreign Residents and Their Percentage of
Japan's Total Population and the Number of Foreign Workers - 1
Ref. 2 Changes in the Percentage of Foreign Residents of the Population
by Nationality/Region of Origin - 2
Ref. 3 Changes in the Percentage of Foreign Residents of the Population
by Status of Residence - 3
Ref. 4 Roadmap for the Realization of a Society of Harmonious
Coexistence with Foreign Nationals (Outline) (Extract) - 4
Ref. 5 Comprehensive Measures for Acceptance and Coexistence of
Foreign Nationals (FY2022 Revision) (Outline) - 6
Ref. 6 Progress (Roadmap for the Realization of a Society of Harmonious
Coexistence with Foreign Nationals) - 8
Ref. 7 Progress (Consultation Systems for Foreign Nationals and Their
Other Needs) - 9
Ref. 8 Basic Survey on Foreign Residents Conducted in FY2021 - 10
Ref. 9 Survey of Local Governments' Efforts Related to Harmonious
Coexistence Measures - 12
Ref. 10 Comparison of Multicultural Coexistence Professionals - 13
Ref. 11 Challenges in Connecting Foreign Residents to an
Appropriate Source of Assistance and Necessary Measures - 15
Ref. 12 Roles of Foreign National Support Coordinators - 16
Ref. 13 Abilities Required of Foreign National Support Coordinators (Four
Abilities) - 20
Ref. 14 Training for Foreign National Support Coordinators (Outline) - 21
Ref. 15 Knowledge and Skills to Be Acquired in Training Program 1
(Proposal) - 22
Ref. 16 Intended National Qualification for Foreign National Support
Coordinators (Experts) - 25
Ref. 17 The Hearings with the Relevant Parties - 2600.511.522.533.544.5505001,000
1,500
2,000
2,500
3,000
3,500
1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
在留外国人数
外国人労働者数
総人口に占める在留外国人の割合
September 2008 Global Financial Crisis
March 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake
2020 COVID-19 Epidemic
July 2012
Introduction of new residency
management system
June 1990
Arrangement of
Status of Residence
(Thousand People)
End of
June 2022
2,961,969 people
486,398 people(%)0.80%
July 2010
Creation of "Technical Intern Training"
Integration of "College Student" status
and "Pre-College Student" status
NumberofForeign
ResidentsandForeign
Workers
PercentageofForeign
ResidentsinJapan's
Total
Population
November 2017
Implementation of
Technical Intern
Training Act
April 2019
Establishment of "Specified
Skilled Worker" System
2.29%
End of 2021
2,760,635 people
1,822,725 people
2.20%June2.37%
Number of foreign residents
Number of foreign workers
Percentage of foreign residents in total population
(Ref. 1) Trend in the Number of Foreign Residents and Their Percentage of Japan's
Total Population and the Number of Foreign Workers1* The number of foreign residents in Japan each year variously refers to the number of registered foreign nationals up to the end of 1993, the number of registered
foreign residents with a status equivalent to that of mid to-long-term resident combined with the number of special permanent residents from the end of 1994 until the
end of 2011, and the number of foreign residents from the end of 2012 onward. The figures for years up to 2021 were taken at the end of each year. The figure for
2022 was taken at the end of June that year.
* The number of foreign workers is based on the summary of notification of the employment status of foreign nationals (at the end of October each year) compiled by the
Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare. (Figures are presented only from 2008, because the notification system was implemented on October 1, 2007.)
* The total population is based on an estimate by the Statistics Bureau of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) as of October 1 each year (as an
exception, a preliminary estimate is presented for 2022).
China
668,644
32.7%
Korea
542,182
26.5%
Brazil
209,265
10.2%
Philippines
203,2949.9%Peru
51,4712.5%United States
49,1192.4%Vietnam
44,4442.2%Thailand
41,3162.0%Indonesia
24,3051.2%India
20,9801.0%Other
192,3299.4%China
744,551
25.1%
Vietnam
476,346
16.1%
Korea
412,340
13.9%
Philippines
291,0669.8%Brazil
207,0817.0%Nepal
125,7984.2%Indonesia
83,1692.8%United States
57,2991.9%Thailand
54,6181.8%Taiwan
54,2131.8%Other
455,488
15.4%
End of June 2022
Number of foreign residents: 2,961,969
* The figures for the end of 2011 were taken from the statistics of registered foreign national compiled by the former Immigration Bureau, Ministry of Justice. The figures
for the end of June 2022 were taken from the statistics on foreign residents compiled by the Immigration Services Agency of Japan.
* The number of registered foreign nationals at the end of 2011 (2,047,349) is the number of registered foreign residents with a status equivalent to that of mid to-long-
term resident combined with the number of special permanent residents.
* For the statistics up to the end of 2011, foreign nationals with a nationality indicated as either Korea or R.O. Korea on their alien registration certificates were both
classified under Korea. In the statistics from the end of 2012, foreign nationals with a nationality or region of R.O. Korea indicated on their residence cards are classified
under R.O. Korea, while those with a nationality indicated as Korea are classified under Korea.
* The nationality of foreign nationals who hold passports or comparable documents issued by authorities in Taiwan was indicated as China in the nationality section of
their certificates of alien registration until July 8, 2012. Since July 9, 2012, the nationality or region section on the residence cards of such foreign nationals indicates
Taiwan. For the statistics from the end of 2012, any foreign nationals who have obtained residence cards or the like with an indication of Taiwan as their nationality or
region are classified under Taiwan.
Number of registered foreign nationals:
2,047,349
2011 Year-end
(Ref. 2) Changes in the Percentage of Foreign Residents of the Population by
Nationality/Region of Origin2Permanent
Resident
845,693
28.6%
Technical
Intern Training
327,689
11.1%
Engineer/
Specialist in
Humanities/
International
Services
300,045
10.1%
Special
Permanent
Resident
292,7029.9%Student
260,7678.8%Dependent
209,2567.1%Long-Term
Resident
202,3856.8%Spouse or
Child of
Japanese
National
143,5584.8%Designated
Activities
112,5013.8%Specified Skilled
Worker
87,4723.0%Other
179,9016.1%Permanent
Resident
598,440
29.2%
Special
Permanent
Resident
389,085
19.0%
Student
188,6059.2%Spouse or Child of
Japanese National
181,6178.9%Long-Term
Resident
177,9838.7%Technical
Intern
Training
143,3087.0%Dependent
119,3595.8%Engineer/Specialist in
Humanities/International
Services
110,4885.4%Skilled Labor
31,7511.6%Spouse or Child
of Permanent
Resident
21,6471.1%Other
85,0664.2%End of June 2022
* The figures for the end of 2011 were taken from the statistics of registered foreign national and immigration control in 2012 compiled by the former Immigration
Bureau, Ministry of Justice. The figures for the end of June 2022 were taken from the statistics on foreign residents compiled by the Immigration Services Agency of
Japan.
* The number of registered foreign nationals at the end of 2011 (2,047,349) is the number of registered foreign residents with a status equivalent to that of mid to-
long-term resident combined with the number of special permanent residents.
* The number of holders of the status of Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services at the end of 2011 is the combined number of holders of the status
of either Engineer or Specialist in Humanities/International Services.
* The number of holders of the status of Technical Intern Training at the end of 2011 is the combined number of holders of the status of either Technical Intern
Training or Designated Activities (Technical Intern Training).
Number of registered foreign nationals:
2,047,349
2011 Year-end
Number of foreign residents: 2,961,969
(Ref. 3) Changes in the Percentage of Foreign Residents of the Population
by Status of Residence32 Ideal Society of Harmonious Coexistence with Foreign Nationals (Three Visions)
Safe and Comfortable
Society
A society where foreign nationals are
included as members of Japanese
society of the future, and where all
people can live safely and comfortably
Diverse and Vibrant Society
A diverse and vibrant society where all
people, including foreign nationals, from
various backgrounds can participate and
demonstrate their abilities to their fullest
Society that Respects
Individual Dignity and
Human Rights
A society where all people, including
foreign nationals, respect each other’s
individual dignity and human rights
and can live without discrimination or
prejudice
3 Medium- to Long-term Issues to be Addressed (Four Key Points)
1 Initiatives such as Japanese language education for smooth communication and participation in society
2 Disseminating information to foreign nationals/Strengthening consultation systems for foreign nationals
3 Support for each life stage and life cycle
4 Initiatives to establish the foundation for a society of harmonious coexistence4(Ref. 4) Roadmap for the Realization of a Society of Harmonious Coexistence with
Foreign Nationals (Outline) (Extract)
4 Major Initiatives Related to the Key Points
5 Promotional Framework51 Initiatives such as Japanese language education for smooth
communication and participation in society
Steadfastly promote initiatives to the creation of a comprehensive system for enhancement of
Japanese language education provided by prefectures and other entities and provide support for
Japanese language educational programs run jointly by municipalities and prefectures [MEXT]《1》
Development of educational models by discipline in accordance with the curriculum and proficiency
criteria specified in the Framework of Reference for the Japanese Language Education [MEXT] 《3》
Establishment of an environment for learning knowledge about Japanese social systems and other
knowledge (open to those who are planning to come to Japan in the future) by creating and utilizing
daily life orientation videos (provide basic information necessary for living in Japan, basic Japanese
language education), etc. [MOJ] 《6》
Development and provision of ICT lesson materials for Japanese language for different daily
occasions, etc. [MEXT] 《8》
Promote the environment of Japanese language education abroad for foreign nationals to learn
smooth communication in Japanese before coming to Japan [MOFA]《9》
Establishment of certification system for Japanese language institutions and Japanese language
teacher qualification system [MEXT]《11》
Formulation and publication of posting guidelines for the "Guidebook on Living and Working" and "A Daily Life
Support Portal for Foreign Nationals" [MOJ]《17》
Dissemination of information using Mynaportal, etc. [MOJ] 《18》
Promoting the establishment of one-stop consulting counters by reviewing the subsidies for preparations for
an environment for the acceptance of foreign nationals [MOJ] 《20》
Initiatives for multi-language translation/interpretation technologies focused on developing practical
simultaneous interpretation technologies and expanding the priority languages to include 15 languages [MIC]
《23》
Joint consultation sessions by relevant organizations providing support to foreign nationals in local
communities [MOJ]《27》
Conduct training programs to promote plain Japanese, etc. [MOJ] [MEXT]《31》《32》
2 Disseminating information to foreign nationals/Strengthening
consultation systems for foreign nationals
Launch community-based programs that provide opportunities for parents and their children to meet
up and consult about their concerns and problems encountered in parenting [MHLW]
《33》
Promote integrated management and identification of the school enrollment status of foreign children
by collaborating the Basic Resident Registration system and the school-age children registration
system [MEXT]《36》
Promote efforts to set special admission quotas for foreign students for public high school entrance
examinations and make necessary adjustments for foreign examinees [MEXT]《47》
Introduce Japanese language tutoring system to the high school curriculum [MEXT]《49》
Dispatch expert consultants and interpreters to the career service sections for foreign nationals at the
Hello Work to provide consultation services and provide support for international students at career
service centers for foreign nationals, etc. [MHLW] 《57》
Provide job training for foreign residents based on their Japanese proficiency levels [MHLW]《61》
Continue and enhance of publicizing and public relations concerning the pension system [MHLW]
《63》
Grasp of actual condition by "Basic Survey on Foreign Residents," etc. [MOJ] 《66》
3 Support for each life stage and life cycle
4 Initiatives to establish the foundation for a society of harmonious
coexistence
The planning period is until FY2026.
Track the progress through annual assessment while interviewing experts and update the measures as needed
Clearly indicate initiatives, in the Comprehensive Measures, which are to be implemented within the applicable fiscal year
Establishment of "Month for Raising Public Awareness of Harmonious Coexistence with Foreign Nationals"
(tentative name), and implement of various events to raise public awareness, etc. [MOJ]《67》《68》
Further promote and enhance education based on cross-cultural understanding and multicultural coexistence
through school programs [MEXT]《71》
Creation and publication of new statistical tables to analyze the living situations of foreign residents by
nationality, status of residence, industry, etc., by utilizing the statistics on foreign residents in Japan, etc.
[MOJ] 《74》
Prepare statistics used to manage labor conditions and other labor aspects for foreign nationals and keep
track of the labor transition to and from Japan, etc. [MHLW] 《75》
Trial project to support the efforts of private support groups to provide outreach support to foreign residents
[MOJ] 《80》
Consideration of efforts towards construction of a centralized information management system required for
residency management at the Immigration Services Agency [MOJ]《82》
Integrate Individual Number Cards (My Number Card) and residence cards to improve convenience [MOJ] 《
85》
Consideration of training support staff for foreign nationals and a certification system for highly specialized
support staff, etc. [MOJ] 《86》
○しろまる Establishment of an environment that enables foreign nationals to acquire the Japanese language skills necessary for dailylifeCreation of a comprehensive system for enhancement of Japanese language education promoted by prefectural
governments, etc., Japanese language education support jointly provided by local governments, and improvement of the
level of Japanese language education in local communities utilizing the "Framework of Reference for the Japanese
Language Education"<Policy 1>
Development of educational models by discipline in accordance with the curriculum and proficiency criteria specified in the
"Framework of Reference for the Japanese Language Education" <Policy 3>
Development and provision of ICT lesson materials for Japanese language for different daily occasions, etc. <Policy 4>
Consideration of establishment of an environment for learning knowledge about Japanese social systems, etc. by creating
and utilizing daily life orientation videos, etc. <Policy 7>
Supporting foreign nationals smoothly settle into Japanese society by spreading information about local financial measures
for regional life orientation <Policy 8>
Consideration of the necessity of further improvement of the Japanese language education environment and related matters
<Policy 14>
○しろまる Improvement of the quality of Japanese language education, etc.
Establishment of certification system for Japanese language education institutions and Japanese language teacher
qualification system <Policy 5 (reposted)>
Initiatives such as Japanese language education for smooth
communication and participation in society
○しろまる Enhancement of information dissemination from the perspective of foreign nationals
Formulation and publication of posting guidelines for the "Guidebook on Living and Working" and "A Daily Life Support
Portal for Foreign Nationals" <Policy 23>
Consideration of prompt collection of information and dissemination of tailor-made and push information through
Mynaportal, etc. <Policy 24>
○しろまる Strengthening of the consultation system to help foreign nationals with their problems
Consideration of measures that facilitate the establishment of one-stop consulting counters by the local governments, for
example enhancing the subsidies for preparations for an environment for the acceptance of foreign nationals <Policy 35>
Taking effective and efficient supporting measures for creating an environment for the acceptance of foreign nationals to
Japanese society by FRESC, implementing joint consultation sessions by relevant organizations providing support to foreign
nationals in local communities, and so on <Policy 36>
Efforts towards realizing practical-level simultaneous interpretation utilizing multilingual translation technology and
expanding the priority languages to 15 languages <Policy 37>
Consideration of the development and improvement of counseling services that reflect the needs of foreign nationals
identified through consultation offices and implementation of development and improvement actions based on the results of
the consideration <Policy 44>
○しろまる Further promotion the use of plain Japanese in information dissemination and consultation services
Summarizing points to consider when speaking in plain Japanese, etc. and supporting local governments in their initiatives
<Policy 48>
Disseminating information to foreign nationals/Strengthening
consultation systems for foreign nationals
As of the end of 2021, the number of foreign nationals residing in Japan was 2.76 million. The number of foreign workers as of the end of October 2021 was 1.73 million (a record high).
Formulated from the point of view of further enhancing the environment for the acceptance of foreign nationals and based on the Roadmap for the Realization of a Society of
Harmonious Coexistence with Foreign Nationals (218 policies).
The government will make across-the-board efforts to realize a society of harmonious coexistence by working together to continue to steadily implement relevant measures and
periodically following up on the Comprehensive Measures.
*1: Underlines indicate policies that are not related to the Roadmap for the Realization of Society of Harmonious Coexistence with
Foreign Nationals.
*2: Policy Nos. in red indicate new policies.
○しろまる Support, etc. for foreign nationals, especially those in infancy and school ages
Launch of community-based programs that provide opportunities for parents and their children to meet up and consult about
their concerns and problems encountered in parenting [MHLW] <Policy 51>
Promotion of integrated management and identification of the school enrollment status of foreign children by collaborating
between the Basic Resident Registration system and the school-age children registration system <Policy 54>
Provision of information and consulting services regarding health and hygiene in schools for foreign students through
professional platform and implementation of surveys and research concerning the support from local governments <Policy
56>
○しろまる Support, etc. for foreign nationals, especially those in the early stage of adolescence and adulthood
Promotion of efforts to set special admission quotas for foreign students for public high school entrance examinations and
make necessary adjustments for foreign examinees, and encouraging introduction of a system that allows Japanese
language tutoring to be included in high school curriculums <Policy 59>
Implementing career development support measures for foreign children on a trial basis to help them design appropriate
career paths and considering specific measures toward this objective <Policy 61>
○しろまる Support, etc. for foreign nationals, especially those in adolescence and adulthood
1 Support for employment for international students, etc.
Providing employment support to international students through the Employment Service Center for Foreigners, etc. <Policy
66>
Promotion of employment and successful work life of international students through the formation of regional consortiums
for supporting highly skilled foreign professionals <Policy 87>
2 Support at work
Dissemination and promotion of utilization of bi-directional educational video training materials and guidebooks in
workplaces for Japanese employees and foreign national employees <Policy 88>
Providing career counseling through expert consultants and interpreters at employment service counters for foreign
nationals at Hello Work <Policy 90>
Providing vocational training for settled foreign residents with special considerations to their Japanese proficiency levels and
promoting assignment of vocational training coordinators for settled foreign residents <Policy 93>
3 Ensuring an appropriate work environment, etc.
Promoting the Collection of Points and Example Sentences That Can Be Used in Labor Management at Workplaces with
Foreign Employees and other useful materials <Policy 95>
○しろまる Support for foreign nationals, especially those in old age
Continued publicizing and public relations concerning the pension system and consideration of enhancement of it <Policy
107>
○しろまる Support common to all life stages
Grasp of actual situation by "Basic Survey on Foreign Residents", etc. <Policy 21 (reposted)>
Support for each life stage and life cycle
(Ref. 5) Comprehensive Measures for Acceptance and Coexistence of Foreign
Nationals (FY2022 Revised) (Outline)6Comprehensive Measures for Acceptance and Coexistence of Foreign Nationals (FY2022 Revised) (Outline)
June 14, 2022
Ministerial Conference on Acceptance and
Coexistence of Foreign Nationals
○しろまる Raising awareness to realize a society of harmonious coexistence
Consideration of establishment of "Month for Raising Public Awareness of Harmonious Coexistence with
Foreign Nationals" (tentative name), and implementation of various events to raise public awareness, etc.
<Policy 155>
Consideration of publication of a white paper summarizing the status of implementation of governmental
measures for harmonious coexistence with foreign nationals <Policy 156>
Implementation of practical research concerning different instructions in areas with high and low concentration
of foreigners <Policy 55 (reposted)>
○しろまる Improvement of government statistics to investigate on the actual living conditions of foreign nationals, etc.
Creation and publication of new statistics to analyze the living situations of foreign residents utilizing the
statistics on foreign residents in Japan, etc. <Policy 161>
Preparation of statistics used to manage labor conditions and other labor aspects for foreign nationals and
keep track of the migration of workforce to and from Japan, etc. [MHLW] <Policy 162>
○しろまる Enhancement of information collections and strengthening of cooperation, etc. among relevant organizations
for the development of infrastructure for realizing a society of harmonious coexistence
Promotion of support for foreign nationals and improvement of the environment for acceptance of them
through development of highly professional Accepting Environmental Coordinators <Policy 164>
Enhancement and strengthening of information dissemination, etc. through implementation of trial project to
support the efforts of private support groups to provide outreach support to foreign nationals <Policy 165>
Consideration of enhancement of cooperation between related organizations in the consultation offices and
the counseling function of the Immigration Information Centers <Policy 166>
Consideration of efforts towards construction of a centralized information management system required for
residency management at the Immigration Services Agency <Policy 167>
Consideration of expansion of procedures to be made online and of construction of a system that enables
users to use their own information on Mynaportal <Policy 168>
Consideration of improvement of the environment for acquisition of Individual Number Cards(My Number
Card) and efforts towards the integration of residence cards and Individual Number Cards<Policy 169>
Consideration of provision of support to foreign nationals with life problems, such as development of specialist
supporters <Policy 6 (reposted)>
Consideration of how data should be provided to contribute to planning and establishing measures for
harmonious coexistence with foreign nationals <Policy 170>
Implementation of publication for promoting appropriate use of Basic Resident Registration information
thorough communication of information to local governments. <Policy 171>
*1: Policies that are not related to the Roadmap for the Realization of a Society of Harmonious Coexistence with Foreign Nationals
have been underlined.
*2: Policy Nos. in red indicate new policies.
○しろまる Employment support, etc. for specified skilled workers and other measures
Provision of information through field-specific councils, etc. and improvement of the working environment for foreign human resources <Policy 127>
○しろまる Smooth implementation of skill exams and Japanese language tests for Specified Skilled Workers, and dissemination and smooth utilization of the Specified Skilled Worker System, etc.
Consideration of the addition of fields covered in the Specified Skilled Worker (ii), reorganization of business categories and revision of the expected numbers of Specified Skilled Workers to be accepted, and discussion of
reviewing the Specified Skilled Worker System and Technical Intern Training Program <Policy 139>
○しろまる Elimination of malicious intermediary organizations, etc.
Consideration of measures for reinforcing partnerships with relevant organizations in developing countries through ODA programs <Policy 153>
○しろまる Expansion of the Japanese language education base abroad
Promotion of efforts to reinforce the foundation for Japanese language education through the Japan Foundation and to disseminate attractiveness of Japanese culture and society, etc. <Policy 13 (reposted)>
Smooth and appropriate acceptance of foreign nationals
Initiatives to establish the foundation of a society of harmonious coexistence
○しろまる Creating a system where foreign nationals also play an active role in a society of harmonious coexistence
Provision of support to international students aiming to qualify as certified care workers, including allocation of
scholarships <Policy 184>
Promotion of efforts for multicultural coexistence by related organizations in Japan and enhancement of their
networking through ODA programs <Policy 185>
Provision of support to leading efforts by local governments through the Subsidy Program for Promotion of
Regional Revitalization <Policy 186>
Publicizing of the foreign beautician training project for National Strategic Special Zones and promotion of
related preferential measures <Policy 187>
○しろまる Construction of the residency management system as a foundation for a society of harmonious coexistence
1 Strengthening the foundation of residency management
Consideration of revisions concerning the "permanent resident" status, such as revision of the requirements
for acquisition of the status and responses to situation changes after acquisition <Policy 189>
Further optimizing the operations of the refugee recognition system through clarifying normative elements on
the eligibility for refugee status, etc. <Policy 190>
Strengthen screening for the acceptance of students, researchers and other people from outside Japan that
contributes to preventing leakage of sensitive technology through cooperation with related organizations
<Policy 195>
2 Accurate management of international student enrollment
Stricter examinations of residence status, such as not permitting the acceptance of international students, for
institutes like universities, that do not appropriately manage international student enrollment <Policy 200>
3 Further optimization of the Technical Intern Training Program
Establishment of a system that integrates the counseling and instruction functions in the Technical Intern
Training Program and consideration of online system of application and other procedures <Policy 97
(reposted)>
Strengthening of on-site inspections as measures against disappearance of technical intern trainees,
terminating acceptance of new technical intern trainees from sending organizations with a large number of
missing technical intern trainees, and promoting joint efforts with related organizations to prevent technical
intern trainees from running away, such as publication of a leaflet on prevention of missing technical intern
trainees <Policy 206>
4 Strengthening of measures against illegal foreign residents
Improvement of the system towards further promotion of repatriation of deportation evaders and early
establishment of a legal framework that enables further optimization of the deportation procedures <Policy
215>7(Discussing training and certification schemes for coordinators of comprehensive support)
○しろまる The government will consider the content of training to develop professionals (tentative name: Comprehensive Foreign National Support Coordinators) who
can lead foreign nationals facing problems in their lives to an appropriate source of assistance (e.g., supports for those who need job searches and daily
necessities by unemployment and Japanese-language studies for different needs and levels, etc.) and measures for smooth assignment of those that have
completed the training and gradually implement such measures. In addition, the government will consider how the certification system for highly
specialized support professionals should be designed and arrive at a conclusion.
Roadmap for the Realization of a Society of Harmonious Coexistence with Foreign Nationals
(approved by the Ministerial Conference on Acceptance and Coexistence of Foreign Nationals on June 14, 2022.)85-yeargoalDevelop who can lead foreign nationals facing problems in their lives to an appropriate source of assistance and measure for smooth
appropriate assignment so that foreign nationals can quickly receive the assistance they need.
Outline
- Provide training needed to develop professionals (tentative name: "Comprehensive Foreign National Support Coordinator" ) who can lead foreign nationals
facing problems in their lives to an appropriate source of assistance as well as maintain their expertise and raise their social recognition level.
- Consider how the certification system for highly specialized support professionals should be designed and arrive at a conclusion.
Roadmap
Specific policies FY2022 FY2023 FY2024 FY2025 FY2026 KPI
Provision of
training needed to
develop
Comprehensive
Foreign National
Support
Coordinators
(tentative name)
and consideration
of the ideal
certification system
- Number of training
sessions held
- Number of persons who
complete the training
course
- Employment of persons
who complete the training
course by related
organizations (to be
considered based on the
results of reviews in
FY2022 and FY2023)
Consideration of issues
such as the content of
Coordinator training and
promotion of the
assignment of persons
who complete training
based on the opinions of
experts
Provision of necessary training, etc. based on the results of
consideration
Consideration based on the opinions of experts, etc. as to how the certification system for highly
specialized support professionals should be designed, and its gradual implementation starting from
what can be done first based on the results of such consideration
Consideration of
the roles, abilities,
etc. of
Coordinators with
experts, etc. to
arrive at a
conclusion
Development and promotion of professionals who coordinate comprehensive support for foreign nationals, etc.
<4>, <30>, <65>, and <86>
(Ref. 6) Progress (Roadmap for the Realization of a Society of Harmonious Coexistence
with Foreign Nationals)
Subsidies for preparations for an environment for the acceptance of foreign nationals that are awarded to one-stop consulting counters
Awarded to multilingual consultation counters set up by local governments to respond to consultations from foreign residents and to provide information for facilitating their lives in
Japan
Approved amount (in response to applications from local governments): 1.02 billion yen (FY2022)
Number of local governments that operate one-stop consulting counters set up with the awarded subsidies: 251 local governments across Japan (as of April 1, 2022)
Number of consultations served by one-stop consulting counters (total of all categories): 521,699 cases (FY2021)
<Consultation system for foreign nationals>
<Consultation system designed for specific statuses of residence>
A Daily Life Support Portal for Foreign Nationals
This web portal publishes, for instance, the Guidebook on Living and Working in plain Japanese and 16 other languages for foreign nationals
and the Plain Japanese Guidelines for Foreign Residents Support, which is intended for national agencies and local governments.
Guidebook on Living and Working
In coordination across ministries, basic information has been compiled to help foreign nationals live and work in Japan safely and comfortably.
(Comprehensive Measures for Acceptance and Coexistence of Foreign Nationals approved by the Ministerial Conference on December 25,
2018)
Technical Intern Training: Supervising organizations and the like must conduct classroom studies of Japanese language and life in Japan over a certain period after trainees’ arrival
(the Act on Proper Technical Intern Training and Protection of Technical Intern Trainees, Article 9, item (ii) (the Regulation for Enforcement of the Act on
Proper Technical Intern Training and Protection of Technical Intern Trainees, Article 10, paragraph (2), item (vii))) and put in place an adequate system that
enables trainees to seek consultation in their native languages or other viable alternatives (the Act on Proper Technical Intern Training and Protection of
Technical Intern Trainees, Article 39, paragraph (3) (the Regulation for Enforcement of the Act on Proper Technical Intern Training and Protection of
Technical Intern Trainees, Article 52, item (xiv))).
The Organization for Technical Intern Training must respond to consultations from technical intern trainees in their native languages by phone, email, and
post. (the Act on Proper Technical Intern Training and Protection of Technical Intern Trainees, Article 87, item (ii)).
Specified Skilled Worker: Each organization of affiliation of the specified skilled workers must formulate a Support Plan for Foreign Nationals in Specified Skilled Worker (i) and
appoint a person in charge to provide daily life orientations, respond to foreign nationals’ consultations and complaints, and offer assistance to them in
leading their professional, daily, and social lives (e.g., Article 2-5, paragraph (6) of the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act).
Foreign Residents Support Center (FRESC)
Eight organizations from four ministries and agencies on a single floor coordinate with one another to respond to consultations related to renewal or changes in residency status,
legal troubles, and other matters. They also support local governments by, for instance, responding to inquiries from local governments’ one-stop consulting counters, conducting
training for their personnel, and providing relevant information.
Response to consultations: 90,593 cases (FY2021)
Student: Guidance on life in Japan (e.g., admission orientation and orientation sessions for part-time jobs) must be provided to students soon after their arrival in Japan. Accordingly,
Japanese language institutions and the like must appoint a qualified life guidance counsellor who can offer life guidance and support to students in their native languages or
other languages that both sides understand sufficiently well (e.g., Article 1, paragraph (1), item (xvi) of the Guideline on the Public Notice for the Japanese Language
Institutions).
<Delivery of information to facilitate life in Japan>
A Daily Life Support Portal
for Foreign Nationals
(Ref. 7) Progress (Consultation Systems for Foreign Nationals and Their Other
Needs)9Question Answer (multiple answers allowed) Ratio
42.9%
42.1%
31.5%
13.3%
Basic Survey on Foreign Residents
(conducted by the Immigration Services Agency from February to March 2022) (*1)
I did not know who to consult.
I don’t understand the system in detail.
I don’t understand the system in detail.
Issues with the pension system
Issues with long-term care insurance
Issues when consulting public institutions (local,
prefectural, and national governments)
Parenting issues
(n = 7,982) (*1)
(n = 2,812) (*2)
(n = 7,538) (*3)
(n = 1,367) (*4)10(Ref. 8) Basic Survey on Foreign Residents Conducted in FY2021
I don't know any place where I can talk about
my worries concerning child education and
child-raising, and I don't know anyone whom
I can talk with about such worries.
* In addition to the above questions, some respondents responded "I did not know who to consult" to questions about issues when receiving medical care at
hospitals, pregnancy and childbirth issues, and disaster issues.
*1 The survey targeted 40,000 foreign residents (mid to long-term residents and special permanent residents) age 18 or older. The survey received valid
responses from 7,982 respondents (the numbers [n] in parentheses indicate the number of valid responses to each question).
*2 Respondents who answered the first question (*1) and who were age 40 or older
*3 Respondents who answered the first question (*1), excluding 444 special permanent residents
*4 Respondents who answered the first question (*1) and who had a child age 0 to 6 in Japan
* Surveys conducted by local governments also received similar responses to
questions about issues at the customer service counters of local governments or
other public institutions, such as "I wasn’t sure about the necessary procedures"
and "I couldn’t get enough information from officials."
Question
Answer
(multiple answers
allowed)
Issues when consulting
public institutions (local,
prefectural, and national
governments)
I was sent around
multiple departments
before I could reach the
right one.
(7.9%)
The person in charge
had little expert
knowledge.
(4.6%)
Basic Survey on Foreign Residents
(conducted by the Immigration Services Agency from February to March 2022)11Appropriate advice about
where to consult
Carefully listening to what
one is saying during
consultations
One-stop service for
consultations
Desired support * Top 5 responses
Online consultation
service(including a service
using social media account)
Telephone consultation
service
Underfunding
Understaffing
Inexperience
133(54%)
110(45%)
104(42%)
n=245
126(51%)
92(38%)
62(25%)
n = 245
Lack of expertise
Understaffing
Underfunding
Difficulty securing and training
consulting staff members
Difficulty training and securing human
resources to provide support
Problems with consulting
counters for foreign residents
Problems with human resources
who support foreign residents
Survey of Local Governments’ Efforts Related to Harmonious Coexistence Measures
(conducted by the Immigration Services Agency in July 2021) (*1)
Common
problem
Common
problem
*1 Out of the 308 local governments (47 prefectures and 261 municipalities [*2]) surveyed, 245 local governments responded.
*2 The local governments surveyed were selected from among core cities and the "top 150 local governments with the highest foreign resident populations" and the "top
150 local governments with the greatest percentage of foreign residents" according to the Survey of Population, Population Movements, and Households Based on
the Basic Resident Register (as of January 1, 2020) conducted by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC).12(Ref. 9) Survey of Local Governments’ Efforts Related to Harmonious Coexistence
Measures
(Ref. 10) Comparison of Multicultural Coexistence Professionals
1. Assigned roles
Name of certified professional Assigned roles Reference
1 Multicultural Social Worker (Aichi
Prefecture)
Continuously support foreign nationals who face psychological or social problems associated with
living in an unfamiliar environment disconnected from their culture of origin by responding to their
consultations and guiding them toward solutions while drawing on expertise in social work.
<Website of the Aichi Prefectural Government>
https://www.pref.aichi.jp/uploaded/attachment/
21240.pdf
2 Multicultural Social Worker
(Kitakyushu International
Association)
Provide overall coordination with counsellors, interpreters, agencies, and foreign nationals who
seek consultation to offer consultation and interpretation services
Identify appropriate partner agencies to handle cases that require highly specialized knowledge
and urgent cases, and coordinate solutions (including outreach activities).
Plan and facilitate liaison meetings among agencies that support foreign nationals; plan and
conduct training for supporters of foreign nationals; forge and strengthen networks in one’s
assigned community and across Japan by, for instance, participating in conferences organized by
other agencies; and develop new projects or frameworks as well as improve services based on
insights obtained and needs identified through all such activities.
<Website of the Japanese Federation of Social
Workers>
https://jfsw.org/2022/04/25/2512/
3 Multicultural Society Coordinator
(Institute for Multicultural Society
Professionals)
Professionals who plan and conduct programs, measures, projects, and activities at local
governments, international exchange associations, local Japanese language schools, other
schools, companies, and other organizations, thereby helping to address challenges towards the
realization of a more multicultural society
<Website of the Institute for Multicultural
Society Professionals>
http://tassk.org/
4 Multicultural Community
Advancement Officer (Gunma
Prefecture)
Develop a social system with an eye to building a more inclusive multicultural society so that
people with diverse nationalities, ethnicities, and other backgrounds can lead better lives as
community members. Help local communities thrive by creating new industries.
・Create a social system or new industries and achieve multicultural coexistence by respecting
and tapping into potential of foreign residents as equal partners of Japanese residents, who
engage in social and economic activities in local communities.
・Participate in industry-academic-government initiatives and organize symposiums, lectures, and
the like that promote multicultural coexistence.
<Website of the Gunma Prefectural
Government>
https://www.pref.gunma.jp/04/c1500243.html
<Website of Gunma University>
https://jst-tabunka.edu.gunma-u.ac.jp/
5 Intercultural Coordinator (Tokyo
Metropolitan Foundation
"TSUNAGARI")
Cultivate knowledge on the foundation of the legal system concerning foreign residents, education,
medical care, disaster prevention, challenges to multicultural coexistence, and other topics. Plan
activities to address these challenges in coordination and in partnership with relevant departments
and groups.
<Website of the Tokyo Metropolitan
Foundation "TSUNAGARI">
https://tabunka.tokyo-
tsunagari.or.jp/training/index.html
6 Intercultural Community
Coordinator (Council of Local
Authorities for International
Relations)
(1) Develop plans, guidelines, and measures towards multicultural coexistence in accordance with
local realities.
(2) Coordinate with relevant agencies to carry out measures for promoting multicultural
coexistence.
(3) Raise awareness of multicultural coexistence among local residents.
<Website of the Council of Local Authorities for
International Relations>
http://www.clair.or.jp/j/multiculture/jiam/tabuma
ne.html1314
Name of certified
professional
Organizer or
employer
Intended participants Training
period
Curriculum Number of
certified
professionals
(program
graduates)
Certification Reference
1 Multicultural Social
Worker (Aichi
Prefecture)
Aichi International
Association
(1) Individuals who have responded to
consultations from foreign nationals
(2) Individuals who have engaged in
social work (including assistance to
Japanese nationals)
(3) Individuals who have engaged in
education of the children of foreign
nationals
7 weeks (42
hours)
21 lessons consisting of
8 lessons to build up
knowledge, 8 lessons to
build up skills, and 5
other workshops,
fieldwork, and the like
108 graduates
(18 graduates
each year from
FY2006 to
FY2011)
Certificates were
awarded in recognition
of completion of the
training program
(which was
discontinued in
FY2011).
<Website of the Aichi
Prefectural
Government>
https://www.pref.aichi.jp/
uploaded/attachment/21
240.pdf
2 Multicultural Society
Coordinator
(Institute for
Multicultural Society
Professionals)
Institute for
Multicultural
Society
Professionals
Professionals who plan and conduct
programs, measures, projects, and
activities at local governments,
international associations, NGOs,
Japanese language schools, other
schools, social education facilities,
companies, or other organizations and
thereby help to address challenges
towards building an inclusive
multicultural society
2 days (1) Lecture
(2) Roundtable
discussion with other
participants and a
facilitator to report and
reflect on the program
developed and
implemented in practice9(as of FY2021)
Certificates are
awarded to examinees
who pass the
certification
examination for
multicultural society
coordinators.
<Website of the Institute
for Multicultural Society
Professionals>
http://tassk.org/
3 Multicultural
Community
Advancement
Officer (Gunma
Prefecture)
Conducted by
Gunma University
and certified by
the Gunma
Prefectural
Government
Specialists (e.g., teachers, doctors,
public health nurses, administrative
workers, police officers, social workers,
engineers, and social insurance labor
consultants), personnel at employers
of foreign nationals, personnel at
schools attended by foreign nationals,
foreign nationals who serve as
international exchange volunteers and
seek permanent residency or
opportunities to start a business in
Japan, and others
3-year
program
(1) Analyst
(2) Planner
(3) Consultant
Each set of
coursework
lasts for at
least 70 hours.
Coursework consisting
of at least 30 hours of
basic education, at least
30 hours of practical
education, and at least
10 hours of research
assignments19(as of FY2022)
Certificates are
awarded by the
governor of Gunma
Prefecture to
recognize trainees
who have completed
all coursework as
multicultural
community
advancement officers.
<Website of the Gunma
Prefectural
Government>
https://www.pref.gunma.
jp/04/c1500243.html
<Website of Gunma
University>
https://jst-
tabunka.edu.gunma-
u.ac.jp/
4 Intercultural
Coordinator (Tokyo
Metropolitan
Foundation
"TSUNAGARI")
Tokyo
Metropolitan
Foundation
"TSUNAGARI"
Personnel of municipal governments in
Tokyo, local international associations,
and the Social Welfare Council, and
civic organizations in Tokyo that
pursue multicultural coexistence
(coordinators and those who intend to
become coordinators)
4 days (1) Coursework to
obtain an overview of
multicultural coexistence
and establish a
foundation in each
relevant area
(2) Workshops
(3) Fieldwork
(4) Reflection195(2017-2022)
Certificates of
completion are issued
upon completion of
the training program.
<Website of the Tokyo
Metropolitan Foundation
"TSUNAGARI">
https://tabunka.tokyo-
tsunagari.or.jp/training/i
ndex.html
5 Intercultural
Community
Coordinator (Council
of Local Authorities
for International
Relations)
Council of Local
Authorities for
International
Relations
Japan
Intercultural
Academy of
Municipalities
(JIAM)
(1) Personnel of prefectural and local
governments, and regional and
municipal international associations
who take charge of measures aimed at
realizing multicultural coexistence
(2) Personnel of NPOs or NGOs that
have collaborated with local
governments or international
associations in promoting multicultural
coexistence (with due
recommendations from such partners)
6 days (1) Coursework on
multicultural coexistence
in practice (e.g.,
lectures, exercises,
case studies, and
presentations)
(2) Submission of a
research assignment
(research plan and
assigned report)636(as of January
2022)
Anyone who
completes the
coursework and
submits the
assignment is certified
as an intercultural
community
coordinator.
<Website of the Council
of Local Authorities for
International Relations>
http://www.clair.or.jp/j/m
ulticulture/jiam/tabuman
e.html
2. Training Programs
Training for support
professionals
Increase in the
number of sources of
assistance by support
professionals
(including cross-
regional cooperation)
Certification system
for support
professionals
Implementing
these
measures
requires
training and
certification
systems for
Foreign
National
Support
Coordinators.
Start to discuss these issues alongside
promotion of the assignment of Foreign
National Support Coordinators in order to
realize a society of harmonious coexistence
with foreign nationals from FY2023 onward.
Appropriate provision
of information by
support professionals
Measures
Challenges
(1) Shortage of
qualified
staff
(2) Difficulty of
finding
qualified
personnel
(3) Poor
access to
necessary
information
on living in
Japan
(4) Shortage of
sources of
assistance
• Public institutions do not have enough support staff who can deal with
complicated, multifaceted problems faced by foreign residents.
• Public institutions do not have know-how regarding staff training.
• Many support staff members are employed on a fixed-term basis and are
not highly recognized within society or within their organizations, which
makes developing them into support professionals challenging.
• Public institutions have difficulty finding qualified persons who can
deal with complicated, multifaceted problems faced by foreign
residents.
• Some foreign residents face various challenges because they do
not have enough information on systems or procedures necessary
for living in Japan or available support services (during the early
stages of their life in Japan).
• A lack of recognition or the absence of appropriate local sources of
assistance makes it impossible to connect foreign residents to the
correct sources of assistance that they need to solve their issues.15(Ref. 11) Challenges in Connecting Foreign Residents to an Appropriate Source of
Assistance and Necessary Measures
Cooperate to improve the environment for accepting foreign nationals by
Cooperate to improve the environment for accepting foreign nationals by
sharing challenges* identified through individual support
* Such as problems faced by local foreign residents and shortages of sources of assistance
Consulting support Preventive support
Consulting support Preventive support
Roles to fulfill Roles expected
Promote mutual understanding with sources of assistance and increase
the sources of assistance based on support needs
Foundation for smoothly connecting foreign residents to appropriate sources of assistance
Foundation for smoothly connecting foreign residents to appropriate sources of assistance
Promote mutual understanding with sources of assistance and increase
the sources of assistance based on support needs
Foundation for smoothly connecting foreign residents to appropriate sources of assistance16(Ref. 12-1) Roles of Foreign National Support Coordinators (Outline of Roles)
Department that is providing support
Foreign
residents
seekinghelp(suchasresidents,
workers,andstudents)
Sources of
assistance
Connect the foreign resident in need to a source of assistance
(assistance service provider) as soon as possible to resolve their case.
1) Seek help.
3) Show available
support and
sources of
assistance.
2) Make contact, coordinate
assistance efforts, and
take over the case.
Foreign National Support Coordinator
Based on their expertise (knowledge, experience, and skills):
(1) Understand the resident’s complicated, multifaceted
problems;
(2) Draw up a cross-sectoral support plan (including the order in
which problems are to be solved); and
(3) Consider and choose the correct sources of assistance.
Public
institutions,
specialized
organizations,
assistance
organizations,
experts,andother
assistance
service
providers
[If other support staff members are available]
(4) Provide them with advice and guidance about the
complicated, multifaceted cases for which they are
responsible.
* Show them which actions to take.
4) Collect thecaseresults and
accumulate
them as
know-how.17(Ref. 12-2) Roles of Foreign National Support Coordinators
(Consulting Support)
Department that is providing
support
Orientations at their organization or at
the request of external organizations,*
events for foreigners, and other
opportunities
Foreign residents
(such as newly employed workers,
matriculating students, residents moving in from
another municipality, or visitors participating
in an event)
Explain the basic rules of
Japanese society with videos
or handbooks (including
showing tailor-made support
plans).
Show where foreign residents
can seek help when necessary
(using specialized
organizations or other sources
of assistance or a local
assistance network).
Foreign National
Support
Coordinator
* Participate or
give advice
as an expert
at the
request of
external
organizations.(Ref. 12-3) Roles of Foreign National Support Coordinators
(Preventive Support)
Participate and provide an
explanation by oneself.
Give advice.orForeign National
Support Coordinator
Foreign National
Support Coordinator
Person providing
an explanation
Person providing
an explanation
Preventive support by providing
accurate, necessary information18- Prevent foreign residents from facing problems by helping them
understand the gist of support systems and procedures in
Japan as well as the differences from those of their home
countries.
- Enable foreign residents to smoothly reach out to the proper place
when in need by providing them with information on such
locations.
Provide
information
based on one’s
expertise.
To duly provide responsive and preventive assistance, mutual understanding with partners and expansion
of partnerships for responding to needs for consultation must be sought by Foreign National Support
Coordinators. These efforts should not be divided into isolated tasks. Rather, they should be pursued
together to underpin both responsive and preventive assistance.
Promote mutual understanding with sources of assistance and
increase sources of assistance based on support needs
Accurately assess the functions and structures of each partner as well as
relevant institutional arrangements. Ensure partners have an understanding of
the functions and structures of the units mandated to respond to consultations.
⇒ Ensure and maintain more organic partnerships built on mutual
understanding.
Expand partnerships in accordance with current and future needs for
consultation (i.e., secure new partners).
⇒ Continuously provide sufficient assistance
(Ref. 12-4) Roles of Foreign National Support Coordinators (e.g., in Expanding
Partnerships to Respond to Needs for Consultation)19Ability to help foreign residents adequately solve their complicated, multifaceted problems
Knowledge and skills for accurately assessing problems faced by foreign nationals who seek consultation based on relationships of trust with them
⇒ Knowledge and skills for responding to consultations
Knowledge and skills for accurately assessing complex, multi-layered issues raised in consultation
⇒ Knowledge and skills related to the proper consultation support process, and analysis of the problems faced by foreign nationals in
their daily lives and their backgrounds (e.g., matters pertaining to children, women, the elderly, and workers)
Knowledge and skills for formulating appropriate plans for offering assistance, offering appropriate advice, and communicating and coordinating
with partners
⇒ Code of conduct (values and ethics) of Foreign National Support Coordinators, self-understanding and understanding of others by
Foreign National Support Coordinators, and formulation of plans for offering assistance
Knowledge and skills for providing guidance and advice on complex, multi-layered issues handled by other personnel tasked with responding to
consultations
⇒ Method for providing guidance and advice (considered for training of trainers)
Ability to understand different cultures and values
Knowledge of foreign cultures, customs, and values
⇒ Cross-cultural understanding
Ability to connect foreign residents to appropriate sources of assistance
An understanding of the roles of the relevant agencies in each area as well as knowledge of Japanese laws, regulations, and institutional
arrangements concerning residency and employment of foreign residents
⇒ Knowledge of the purposes, governing laws, and roles of national government organs and Japan’s laws and systems related to foreign
residents’ lives and employment as well as similar systems of foreign countries
Skills in building good relationships with and collaborating with relevant organs
⇒ Skills in building good relationships with and collaborating with relevant organs
Ability to accurately understand the status of residence of
foreign residents
Knowledge of institutional arrangements that govern entry, exit, and
residency of foreign nationals
⇒ Knowledge about immigration control laws and regulations
* Aside from the aforementioned skills, Foreign National Support Coordinators must maintain an attitude of serving foreign nationals who have problems in their
lives in Japan with respect for foreign nationals’ dignity and human rights, and must practice empathy and patience no matter the circumstances by carefully
listening to their concerns and putting themselves in foreign nationals’ places.
(Ref. 13) Abilities Required of Foreign National Support Coordinators (Four Abilities)20○しろまる Practice of the
basic knowledge
and skills learned
in training
program (1) (*)
(at participants’
workplaces)
○しろまる Lectures on basic
knowledge and
skills (64 hours)
On-demand
lectures
○しろまる Achievement test
(Participants who
pass this test
move on to the
practicum after
being assigned
tasks to work on
in the next
program.)
Training program (1)
(Online training)
Practicum
Training program (2)
(Group training)
Recognitionofcompletion
(2 months) (3 months)
○しろまる Case study
(including group
discussions)
○しろまる Program
completion test
(2 days)
National
qualification
examination
(to be discussed)
Instructor training for
those who have 3 years
or more of practical
experience after
completing the program
(to be discussed)
(*) They work on tasks assigned in
training program (1).
Trainingforcertification
renewal
(every3years)
○しろまる Planned total number of participants: 300 (by FY2026)21(Ref. 14) Training for Foreign National Support Coordinators (Outline)
Item Knowledge and skills to be acquired
Hours of
instruction
A Significance of the deployment of Foreign National Support Coordinators 4BKnowledge for accurately assessing the statuses of residency of foreign
nationals6C Knowledge for understanding different cultures and values 6DKnowledge and skills for responding to consultations from foreign nationals
on complex, multi-layered issues and guiding them to appropriate solutions24E
Knowledge for swiftly referring foreign nationals to appropriate sources of
assistance24Total 64
(Ref. 15-1) Knowledge and Skills to Be Acquired in Training Program 1 (Proposal)
* Among these items, A must be mastered prior to the four kinds of specific knowledge and skills expected of
Foreign National Support Coordinators listed in B through E.22Lecture title
1 Introduction to multicultural coexistence
2 Cross-cultural understanding
A. Significance of the deployment of Foreign National
Support Coordinators
C. Knowledge for understanding different cultures and
values
Lecture title1Current state of entry and residency of foreign
nationals in Japan2Immigration Control Act (entry, exit, deportation
procedures, and refugee recognition)
3 Immigration Control Act (residency)
4 Nationality Act (naturalization and statelessness)
B. Knowledge for accurately assessing the statuses of
residency of foreign nationals
(Ref. 15-2) Proposed Lectures for Acquiring Required Knowledge and Skills in
Training Program 1 (1)
Lecture title1Knowledge and skills for responding to
consultations2Knowledge and skills related to the proper
consultation support process3Values and ethics of Foreign National Support
Coordinators, and self-understanding and
understanding of others4Problems faced by foreign nationals in their daily
lives and their backgrounds (e.g., matters pertaining
to children, women, the elderly, and workers)5Cases, the significance and method of case studies,
supervision, etc.
D. Knowledge and skills for responding to consultations
from foreign nationals on complex, multi-layered
issues and guiding them to appropriate solutions
Lecture title1The significance of the deployment of Foreign
National Support Coordinators23Lecture title
1 Current state of inclusive measures for foreign nationals (e.g., the Roadmap and Comprehensive Measures)2Roles of relevant agencies and their administrative services
Breakdown
Consultation and support related to the basic resident register and family register
Consultation and support related to working conditions
(e.g., contracts, wages, working hours, and career support)
Consultation and support related to safety, health, and accident compensation
Consultation and support related to harassment and mental health
Consultation and support related to public health and medical care
Consultation and support related to pregnancy and child delivery
Consultation and support related to social insurance and public assistance
Consultation and support related to human trafficking and domestic violence
Consultation and support related to school education and scholarships
Consultation and support related to Japanese language education
Consultation and support related to income, inhabitant taxes, and the like
Consultation and support related to residency
Consultation and support related to other rules for living in Japan
3 Skills for forging relationships with relevant agencies and partnering with them
E. Knowledge for swiftly referring foreign nationals to appropriate sources of assistance
(Ref. 15-3) Proposed Lectures for Acquiring Required Knowledge and Skills in
Training Program 1 (2)24National qualification for Foreign National Support Coordinators
Foreign National Support Coordinators
(Expert – tentative name)
Foreign National Support
Coordinators
National examination, etc.
At least three years of practical experience
and completion of the training of trainers
In order to produce a large number of highly qualified Foreign National Support Coordinators
and to ensure their professional role takes root in society, professionals also need to be trained
and certified to serve as role models for their junior peers, to provide them with necessary
advice and guidance, and to support their professional development.
* The national qualification shall be considered from FY2023.
Training program for fostering Foreign
National Support Coordinators
Training program for fostering Foreign
National Support Coordinators
Completion of the
training program
Training for
certification renewal
Training for
certification renewal
* Completion of training is to be
required for certification renewal
(expected to be done every three
years) to maintain and enhance
their levels of expertise.
(Ref. 16) Intended National Qualification for Foreign National Support
Coordinators (Experts)25Date Interviewed parties URL for accessing the interview results
1 November 15, 2022 (Tue)
- HAMAMATSU PLANNING & COORDINATING DEPARTMENT International
Affairs Division
- Hamamatsu Foundation for International Communication and Exchange
https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/policies/policies/04_00050.html
2 November 17, 2022 (Thu) - Tochigi International Association
3 November 17, 2022 (Thu)
- Multicultural Society Section, Social Activities Promotion Division, Community
Affairs Department, Bureau of Community and Cultural Affairs, Aichi Prefecture
- Aichi International Association
4 November 22, 2022 (Tue) Oizumi Town Hall Planning Department Multicultural Cooperation Division
5 November 22, 2022 (Tue) - Sendai Tourism, Convention and International Association
6 December 16, 2022 (Fri)
- General Affairs Division International Affairs Bureau City of Yokohama
- Yokohama Association for International Communications and Exchanges
7 December 21, 2022 (Wed) Angelo Ishi Musashi University, Faculty of Sociology
8 December 22, 2022 (Thu) KIKUCHI Akiyoshi (Institute for Multicultural Society Professionals)
9 December 23, 2022 (Fri) IKUKO YAMAURA
10 December 26, 2022 (Mon) Kanagawa Prefectural Goverment Child Education Support Division
A broad range of relevant parties were interviewed to foster discussion of the roles of professionals who
coordinate comprehensive support.26(Ref. 17-1) The Hearings with the Relevant Parties
(Ref. 17-2) The Hearings with the Relevant Parties27Date Interviewed parties URL for accessing the interview results
11 January 25, 2023 (Wed) Vietnam Mutual Aid Association in Japan
https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/policies/policies/04_00050.html
12 January 26, 2023 (Thu) NPO Multilanguage Center FACIL/ Mukogawa Wemen's University
13 January 30, 2023 (Mon) Council of Local Authorities for International Relations (自治体国際化協会(CLAIR))
14 January 30, 2023 (Mon) International Organization for Migration
15 February 7, 2023 (Tue) The Japan Federation of Certified Administrative Procedures Legal Specialists Associations
16 February 9, 2023 (Thu) Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry
17 February 17, 2023 (Fri) Japan Federation of Bar Associations
18 February 20, 2023 (Mon) Nihongo kyōikukikan dantai renraku kyōgikai
19 February 21, 2023 (Tue) Keidanren (Japan Business Federation)
20 February 22, 2023 (Wed) Japanese Association of Certified Social Workers