About The Technical Intern Training Program
The Foreign Technical Intern Training Program is a system designed to transfer Japanese skills and technology to developing regions, supporting their economic development. This program plays a vital role in Japan’s international contributions and prohibits the use of trainees as a means of adjusting the supply and demand of labor.
The training period is up to a maximum of five years and is carried out based on the technical intern training plan. OK Support Cooperative operates this program with strict compliance with the law and emphasizes cooperation with all relevant parties.
Categories of Technical Intern Training and Residence Status
The residence status is updated from Type 1 to Type 3 based on the trainee’s skill level, allowing for a maximum stay of up to five years. The residence status can be changed by passing the designated skill examinations.
| Training Period | Company-Sponsored Type | Supervised Organization Type |
|---|---|---|
| First Year (Skill Acquisition) | Type 1 Company-Sponsored Technical Intern Training （Residence Status「技能実習第1号イ」） | Type 1 Supervised Organization Technical Intern Training （Residence Status「技能実習第1号ロ」） |
| Second and Third Years (Skill Proficiency) | Type 2 Company-Sponsored Technical Intern Training （Residence Status「技能実習第2号イ」） | Type 2 Supervised Organization Technical Intern Training （Residence Status「技能実習第2号ロ」） |
| Fourth and Fifth Years (Skill Mastery) | Type 3 Company-Sponsored Technical Intern Training （Residence Status「技能実習第3号イ」） | Type 3 Supervised Organization Technical Intern Training （Residence Status「技能実習第3号ロ」） |
Number of Acceptable Trainees
| Number of Full-Time Employees at Host Company | Basic Quota for Foreign Technical Intern Trainees | Quota for Certified Excellent Companies for Foreign Technical Intern Trainees |
|---|---|---|
| 30 or fewer | Up to 3 | Up to 6 |
| 31 to 40 | Up to 4 | Up to 8 |
| 41 to 50 | Up to 5 | Up to 10 |
| 51 to 100 | Up to 6 | Up to 12 |
| 101 to 200 | Up to 10 | Up to 20 |
| 201 to 300 | Up to 15 | Up to 30 |
| 301 or more | 5% of full-time employees | 10% of full-time employees |
Eligible Occupations for Accepting Foreign Technical Intern Trainees
As long as the purpose is to acquire skills, most occupations are generally eligible for acceptance. However, there are specific regulations for occupations that can transition to Technical Intern Training Types 2 and 3, allowing for a maximum training period of five years. We will conduct on-site inspections of work content, equipment, and tools.
Please check the current occupations and tasks eligible for transition to Technical Intern Training Type 2 here.
Acceptance Process
OK Support Cooperative provides specialized staff assistance at every stage. Our team includes experts familiar with the trainees’ countries of origin, as well as specialists in administrative procedures. We aim to reduce the burdensome tasks for host companies, ensuring a smooth acceptance process.
OK Support Cooperative aims to provide detailed and tailored support for technical intern training plans according to the specific circumstances of each host company.
- 1.Hearing
- We will consult with you regarding the acceptance of trainees while understanding your company’s situation. For companies considering accepting trainees for the first time, we provide friendly and thorough support. If the decision to accept trainees is made, you will join our cooperative.
- 2.Recruit trainees through local sending organizations.
- Based on the information gathered by our representative, we will create recruitment guidelines and request local sending organizations to recruit candidates who meet the specified criteria.
- 3.Document Screening, Written Test, and Interview
- The local sending organization will conduct the initial selection according to our cooperative’s recruitment guidelines. They will carry out document screening, written tests, and interviews to determine trainee candidates. Companies that wish to do so can conduct interviews either directly on-site or via Zoom. During on-site interviews, in addition to the Q&A session, we arrange for companies to learn about the trainees’ local lifestyle and culture through site visits, physical fitness tests for the trainees, and meals with potential trainees.
- 4.Pre-departure Training (5-6 months) and Document Preparation
- Successful candidates from the tests and interviews will receive Japanese language education focused on listening and speaking, which are essential for communication. Additionally, they will be taught about Japanese culture and daily life habits. Simultaneously, we will prepare and submit the application documents for residence status, obtain the Certificate of Eligibility, send the Certificate of Eligibility to the sending organization, and apply for visas at the Japanese embassy.
- 5.Entry into Japan
- Our cooperative’s staff will welcome the arriving trainees at the airport.
- 6.Training (1 month)
- Upon arrival, the trainees will undergo approximately one month of training at our main training center. In addition to studying Japanese language, culture, customs, and laws, they will receive lectures on the Immigration Control Act and the Labor Standards Act, and participate in external training such as visits to the fire department. By the end of the training, they will be instructed on important aspects of daily life in Japan, such as garbage disposal and proper greetings.
- 7.Start of Training
- The trainees will sign an employment contract with the host company and start their training according to the training curriculum of each implementing organization (host company, etc.) as “workers” under labor-related laws and regulations.
About Supervising Organizations
A Supervising Organization is a non-profit organization responsible for accepting technical intern trainees and providing support for their activities and the host companies.
Specifically, at the request of companies, these organizations handle the recruitment and procedures for accepting technical intern trainees, conduct interviews locally, and after the trainees are accepted, they audit and guide the host companies to ensure proper training is conducted.
Additionally, to conduct supervisory activities, the organization must obtain prior approval from the relevant minister. There are specific categories and conditions for obtaining this approval, as detailed below.