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Factory work is one of the most popular jobs among foreigners.
The reason factory work is popular is that it does not require very high Japanese language skills.
Many foreigners work in factories because even those who cannot speak Japanese well or have just arrived in Japan can start working immediately.
Factory jobs vary widely, from simple tasks like picking and assembly line work to large-scale tasks such as car manufacturing. However, one thing they have in common is that you can work without any special skills.
However, not everyone can work in a factory.
In this lesson, we will learn about what kind of people can work in factories.
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What kind of visa is required to work in a factory?
To work in a factory, you need to have a visa without work restrictions, such as permanent residency, long-term resident visa, spouse visa, or refugee visa.
If you have permanent residency or a spouse visa, you are treated the same as a Japanese citizen and have no work restrictions.
With these visas, you can work in any job, whether it’s simple manual labor or as a truck driver.
The requirements for obtaining each visa are as follows.
Permanent Residency
Having lived in Japan for more than 10 years, and having worked for at least 5 of those years.
long-term resident
Such as people of Japanese descent or children born between a Japanese national and a foreign national.
Spouse Visa
A residence status granted when married to a Japanese national.
Factory work does not require a high level of Japanese, but if you cannot handle basic daily conversation, you may not understand instructions from your supervisor or be able to communicate properly, which can lead to not being hired.
Because factories are constantly facing labor shortages, there is high demand for foreign workers, and you can often start working right away. However, having a certain level of Japanese speaking ability will help you do the job more smoothly.
Even without permanent residency or similar visas, international students (with a student visa) can work part-time in factories.
If you obtain a work permit for activities outside your visa status from the Immigration Bureau, you are allowed to work part-time for up to 28 hours per week.
There are many international students who work in factories while learning Japanese at school.
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Under the Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services visa, you are not permitted to work in factories or engage in manual labor.
Foreign nationals working in Japan under the “Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services” visa are not permitted to work in factories.
This is because the “Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services” visa (commonly referred to as the Gijinkoku visa) is only granted for jobs that utilize the applicant’s professional experience or language skills acquired in their home country.
Originally, the Gijinkoku visa is intended for professionals such as engineers, sales or marketing staff, interpreters, or language teachers. However, factory work is considered simple manual labor, which does not utilize the applicant’s professional experience or knowledge from their home country.
The types of jobs permitted under the “Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services” visa are as follows.
technical skill
Jobs such as mechanical and electrical design, as well as IT engineering.
specialist in humanities (Japanese visa category)
Office-based jobs such as sales, accounting, and marketing.
international service international affairs
Jobs that utilize language skills, such as interpreters and language instructors.
For mechanical design and production management engineers, their workplace is often a factory. Performing simple tasks on the production line to support manufacturing work is acceptable as long as it is not done frequently. However, it is essential that their main duties involve specialized work such as design.
For those holding a Technical/Humanities/International Services visa, it is important to be cautious. If they engage solely in simple tasks on the production line, such as tightening screws, this could constitute a serious violation of their visa conditions.
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Lesson Summary
To work in a factory, foreigners must hold a visa without work restrictions, such as permanent resident status, long-term resident visa, spouse visa, or refugee visa, rather than a Technical/Humanities/International Services visa.
Also, international students studying Japanese can work in factories if they obtain permission for activities outside their status of residence, allowing them to work up to 28 hours per week.
Factories in Japan are facing a serious labor shortage, and the support of foreign workers is indispensable.
It is no exaggeration to say that foreign workers are supporting Japan’s manufacturing industry.
However, due to visa-related issues, working in factories is currently difficult. Obtaining JLPT N2 or higher, or finding jobs that utilize experience from one’s home country, will broaden future career opportunities.
Although factory work does not require high-level Japanese language skills, the repetitive nature of the tasks makes skill development difficult. Therefore, acquiring various qualifications such as JLPT and seeking employment outside of factories is advisable.
Finally, despite the severe labor shortage and companies actively seeking workers, many foreigners who wish to work in factories cannot do so because of visa restrictions. This creates a dilemma where foreign workers want to work but cannot.
To solve the labor shortage, the Japanese government should review and improve these visa-related issues.
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