Useful Columns

 Audio Commentary We are only a few days into the year 2025. Thank you very much for reading our columns this year. Analyzing the access trends of the columns we have published on this website over the past year, we have seen how the field of foreign employment has faced "drastic changes in the system...

  Voice Commentary When I am involved in the field of visa application, many clients tell me, "We just don't have enough people. We receive earnest inquiries from our clients, "We need to hire people as soon as possible, even if they are foreign nationals. However, although it is very painful, we sometimes think, "Hiring in the current state is not a good idea for your company....

To turn the increase in the number of foreign residents into "local strength" Currently, the number of foreign residents in Japan has reached approximately 3.96 million and continues to reach record highs. Under these circumstances, local governments are positioned as the "main players on the frontlines" of a symbiotic society. What is required of local governments now is not to passively accept government policies...

In order for Japan to remain an "open country" in the future, the immigration system is currently under review. The "Immigration Policy Council," a private advisory body to the Minister of Justice, serves as the compass for these discussions. The Council is a private advisory body to the Minister of Justice, and is responsible for the development of the immigration system in line with the changing times, economic development, and international...

Audio Description Employing foreigners in a company that is not prepared to accept them means facing the deepest despair in the foreign land of Japan. The types of companies that lack the basic qualities to hire foreigners, mainly cultural understanding, communication support, diversity response, and tre...

 　Audio Description The Arrival of the Black Ships Teaches Us the Chance of "Change" The arrival of the "Black Ships" in Japan in 1853, a fleet of four ships including two steamships led by American Commodore Matthew Perry, had a great impact on Japan at that time. The black smoke-spewing steamships were seen as an unknown threat to...

 Audio Commentary: Treating "Japanese Customers" for Specified Skills Foreigners Introduction: Understanding Japanese Service Culture and Omotenashi 1. from Mentalism to "Behavioral Techniques" Japanese service (Omotenashi) is not just about being kind, but also about anticipating customer expectations, and then...

Voice Commentary For Japan's restaurant industry, specially skilled foreign human resources are a "hopeful star" to solve the serious labor shortage. However, many restaurant operators are facing a "more difficult obstacle than imagined. It is not just a matter of skill or Japanese language ability. Japanese customers seek...

To all companies that support the acceptance of specified skilled foreign nationals. There have been cases of some foreign managers changing the workdays and holidays of their Specified Skilled Foreigners without permission, ignoring the stipulations of the written employment conditions. We are constantly alerted to such behavior. This is in accordance with the Japanese Labor Standards Law...

For foreign nationals whose period of stay (visa expiration date) is approaching during the New Year's holiday period or soon after the New Year, this page explains the cautions for rushing requests for "application for permission for extension of period of stay" and the importance of deadline management by administrative scriveners. ⏱️Risks of applying just before the deadline Application for extension of period of stay...

In recent years, an increasing number of companies are hiring foreign nationals as regular or contract employees. However, when hiring foreign employees, it is important not to forget about "visa (status of residence) renewal. If the employee does not renew his/her status of residence before it expires, he/she will be in Japan illegally, and the company will be...

Audio Commentary Dear Registered Support Organization, Under the revised Gyoseishoshi Law that will take effect on January 1, 2026, it will be clearly illegal to prepare documents for application for status of residence for specified skills for remuneration, no matter what the name of the act may be. ⚠️ Risk: If the cost of document preparation is included in the support outsourcing fee, etc., the illegal act...

As of November 2025, the Immigration Bureau is in the midst of a full-scale transition to IC cards for residence cards, and it has finally become clear that the transition will be complete by the end of 2026. The plastic card will be replaced by a new residence card with an IC chip equivalent to a My Number card. ...

The revised Administrative Scrivener Law will come into effect on January 1, 2026 (January 1, 2026). 1. point of revision: Requests to unqualified persons will be "not permitted under any name! Gyoseishoshi Scriveners are required to submit documents to government offices (e.g., applications for permission to open a restaurant, applications for status of residence for foreign residents, inheritance-related...

1. can i work even if my "period of stay" is still valid? Many foreign students and employers mistakenly believe that they can work until the expiration date of their residence card. The fact is: From the day you graduate from school (or are expelled from school), the "Permission to Engage in Activity other than that Permitted under the Status of Residence" associated with the "College Student" visa takes effect...

In the midst of a labor shortage due to the declining birthrate and aging population, foreign students are a valuable asset to the workforce. However, when hiring them, it is necessary to properly understand the rules specific to the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act (Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act), which are not applicable to Japanese part-time workers. In particular, the "28-hour-per-week limit" is lenient...

Important: Effective October 16, 2025, the requirements for the "Management and Administration" visa have been significantly tightened. The conventional wisdom of "investment of 5 million yen" or "one-person start-up" no longer applies. October 16, 2025 will be a historic turning point for foreigners who wish to start a business in Japan...

We have received very important and urgent news for all of you in the food service industry. The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) and the Immigration and Residency Management Agency have announced the suspension of acceptance of Specified Technical Skills 1 in the food service industry. For businesses that have been planning to hire, this is an extremely important...

⏳ 1. Introduction: Why is my visa application so slow? Many people spend anxious days wondering when they will be granted a visa (status of residence) after applying for one. The examination period at the Immigration Bureau (Immigration Bureau) is usually from one to three months, but some applicants may wait as long as six months...

When renewing "Spouse or Child of Japanese National" status (Spouse Visa), the screening process tends to become stricter year by year, and particular attention should be paid to the following points. 1. stability and continuity of marital life Continuity of cohabitation: In principle, it is most important that the couple lives together and is substantially married....