Tokutei-ginou Basics: Building Cleaning and Management Worker

• ・Up to 37,000 workers to be hired in a period of 5 years
• ・Work scope centers around cleaning the interiors of buildings
• ・Direct employment offered with the company
• ・No prior experience required

OVERVIEW

In April 2019, the government of Japan introduced a new visa status “Specified Skilled Worker,” or “Tokutei Ginou” in Japanese, in a move that opens doors to an increasing amount of foreign workers who want to work and live in Japan. Under this new visa status, foreigners may seek work in 14 specified fields and under their employment terms are eligible to stay in Japan up to 5 years (Tokutei Ginou 1) or even indefinitely (Tokutei Ginou 2).

2 Types of Specified Skilled Workers

・Tokutei Ginou 1

All entry-level workers, who have yet to acquire a significant amount of skill in a designated industry make up this particular group. Tokutei Ginou 1 visa holders can stay in Japan for up to 5 years, after which they must return to their home country. To acquire this visa, applicants must pass a test and demonstrate a basic ability to communicate in Japanese.

・Tokutei Ginou 2

Those who have completed their term as Tokutei Ginou 1, will be eligible to go back to Japan under this visa status, allowing them to bring family with them and stay in Japan indefinitely if they find employment.

Figures

Within a period of 5 years, an estimated number of 37,000 foreign workers under the Specified Skilled Worker visa status (Tokutei Ginou Visa) are expected to be hired in the field of Building Cleaning and Management alone.

The building cleaning and management field, one of the 14 industries recognized by the government of Japan being in need of foreign labor, will provide a large percentage of job opportunities to those seeking work in Japan. Other similarly large industries include Care Providers, Food Service, and Agriculture each expecting to pull in over 30,000 foreign workers.

Job Scope

The main responsibility of a Specified Skilled Worker in the building cleaning industry is straightforward. Someone working in this field will be in charge of keeping the interior of buildings clean, tidy, and secure. Buildings can include offices, hospitals, hotels, and any public or commercial building that acts as an employer to the worker. The only exception is individual houses and housing complexes, which do not fall under buildings for commercial and public use.

A worker will learn to use and operate any tools, machines, and facilities related to cleaning and maintenance of a building, the appropriate know-how on cleaning specific areas and surfaces, provide cleaning assistance as needed, and some may be taught to make beds. In addition, education will be provided on cleaning-related health and safety codes and emergency procedures. As the worker gains experience, they can expect to work more independently without assistance, while the job scope remains largely the same.

Requirements and Employment

An entry-level Specified Skilled Workers (Tokutei Ginou 1) will have to pass two tests.

• ・Tokutei Ginou 1 Evaluation Test – Building Cleaning Industry
• ・Japanese language test (The level of Japanese language proficiency is subject to passing the “Basic Japanese Language Test” conducted by the “Japan Foundation” or obtaining N4 or higher of the “Japanese Language Proficiency Test). Once you have passed the two tests, you will be eligible for employment directly with any company that chooses to hire you.

So, What Are You Waiting For?

Prepare yourself for the next journey in Japan or find more about other types of Specified Skills Workers opportunities now! And find more opportunity in Japan below: