Hello, everyone.
My name is Enta.
This time, I’d like to say a few words to technical interns and foreign workers.
This article has been translated into several different languages.
Japan is becoming increasingly dependent on foreign workers
Currently, Japan is implementing a national policy known as “Work-Style Reform,” under which a **two-day-a-week weekend** work schedule is being adopted.
In particular, companies primarily involved in public projects have almost all fully implemented the two-day-per-week leave policy.
However, according to the government's 2021 policy, they have set a goal of having three days off per week.
This is just a goal, but if it were actually implemented, the economy would likely struggle to function smoothly.
Currently, Japan is facing a labor shortage and is stepping up its efforts to accept foreign workers.
What does the future hold for Japan?
What do technical trainees and foreign workers think about that?
In my opinion, Japan’s future will be a society in which 99% projects are carried out by trainees and foreign workers with specific skills.
This is bound to happen.
Because the Japanese population is steadily declining.
For the time being, the construction site will continue to be managed by the Japanese, but over the next 10 years, things will change rapidly.
Highly skilled workers will certainly be hired and treated on an equal footing with Japanese employees.
Basically, the current labor system is similar for both Japanese and foreign nationals.
Of course, there are still some companies that aren't like that, but those kinds of companies will be weeded out.
If you encounter a situation like this, don't hesitate to report it!
Japan's New Manual Labor Force
In particular, in industries such as **construction and civil engineering**—like ours—**young Japanese people** are increasingly **reluctant to work**.
In a way, I think this is an opportunity.
Because without interns and skilled foreign workers, the project cannot be completed.
Currently, even our company cannot carry out construction work without foreign workers (we cannot handle as many projects).
If you study hard and work as well as the Japanese do, you can get hired anywhere!
However, there are a few conditions:
If you have Japanese language proficiency equivalent to N3 and a driver's license, that's a big advantage!
If you have strong communication and management skills, you may even have the opportunity to become a Japanese leader.
Of course, as a manager like myself, if Japanese workers can’t do the job, I’ll hire qualified foreign workers.
Currently, many Japanese construction company owners are also gradually coming to share this view.
Everything is determined by time.
And it is precisely this **change in work practices** that is causing **the Japanese to become weaker** (and the same is true for foreigners).
For example, suppose we switch to a three-day-a-week schedule.
① Employee A: 3 days off per week, salary of 300,000 yen per month.
② Mr. B: Two days off per week, salary of 300,000 yen per month.
Suppose A and B have the same abilities and are both 35-year-old men.
(No matter what age you use, the result is the same ^^)
If you think about it logically, everyone would want to work like A, right?
Currently, there are many people in Japan who make choices like A.
And most Asian men would probably choose the same thing (laughs).
But when both A and B are over 40, do you know what will happen?
A will become B's subordinate.
Just because I have one extra day off each week—that is, four days a month—,
But A will never be able to catch up to B.
🧮 Calculation Conditions
1 day = 8 working hours
1 year = 52 weeks
5 years = 52 weeks × 5 years = 260 weeks
✅ A: In the case of taking 3 days off per week
Number of workdays: 4 days/week Hours worked/week: 4 × 8 = 32 hours/week 5 years: 32 × 260 = 8,320 hours
✅ B: Cases where there are 2 days off per week
Number of workdays: 5 days/week Hours worked/week: 5 × 8 = 40 hours/week 5 years: 40 × 260 = 10,400 hours
⚖️ The difference between A and B
10,400 − 8,320 = 2,080 hours
🧩 Conclusion
Work hours over 5 years: A: 3 days off per week → 8,320 hours B: 2 days off per week → 10,400 hours Difference (B−A) = 2,080 hours
📉 Anh A will work about 2,080 hours less (equivalent to 260 days) Over the past 5 years.
That's really amazing, isn't it? ^^
But…
That's all for today.
See you next time.
