From a senior foreigner working in a construction company
one thing

I have been working as a plasterer since I was 17 years old. When I was in China, I heard that Japan had advanced construction technology, so I came to Japan to gain experience and learn from it. Now that I've actually started working here, I've learned a lot, as the tools and materials we use are different from those in China.

The president is a very nice person, and I feel that he cares about me. When the coronavirus was spreading, he provided me with masks and disinfectant, and made sure I was healthy, which was very helpful. Thanks to him, I have never contracted the coronavirus.

Every year, we accept young technical intern trainees from China and Indonesia, so I try my best to be a good example for them. If I could give any advice to those of you coming to Japan, it would be to study Japanese a little. If you keep working hard in Japan, you will definitely be recognized. Do your best!

One of the reasons I have been working at my current workplace for a long time is that the seniors who taught me how to do my job were kind. In construction companies in China, they would sometimes shout or yell at people when teaching them how to do their jobs. But in Japan, that didn't happen as much, and they spoke calmly, so it was easy to work there.

Also, I was lucky that I could understand the meaning of Kanji because they use it in Japan. Especially in the construction industry, there are signs at construction sites saying things like "Safety First" and "Danger," so you know where you need to be careful. I was grateful that Kanji existed to help me work safely.

My hard work was recognized, and in 2020 I was awarded Recognition of Excellent Foreign Construction Workers. In 2022, I became the second person in the country to receive Specified Skills No. 2 status. This means I can now bring my family to Japan. I was able to achieve all of this thanks to the support of my company. I am truly grateful.

The people at the company are really kind to me. Once, when my family in China got sick, the vice president said to me, "If you're ever in financial trouble, we'll lend you some money, so just let us know." I was very grateful.

I became Specified Skills No. 2 so that I could invite my 18-year-old daughter, 10-year-old son, and wife to live with me in Japan. My family has always wanted to live in Japan, so this is finally a dream come true.

My job is a lot of fun. I'm working hard right now to get my large vehicle license. I passed the test for my medium-sized vehicle license on the first try, and got 96 points out of 100. I'll do my best to pass it on the first try again!

The seniors at the company are all professionals in concrete pumping. When I first came to Japan, they helped me with difficult tasks. On another occasion, they even took over a difficult task for me. I was touched by their kindness.

I chose concrete pumping in the construction industry because the work is interesting. I feel very motivated when I operate the pumps and machines. Another attractive point is that when I learn a new skill, I can do a new task and the work becomes even more fun.

I obtained Specified Skills No. 2 residence status in order to bring my family over to China. I have two young children, and my current goal is to live with them, so I want to make that happen as soon as possible.

I have a wife and child in China, and I came to Japan to enrich my family's life. When I came to Japan, my son was still young, but now he is a high school student and working hard to pass his entrance exams. Now that I have been granted Specified Skills No. 2 status, I am happy that I can live in Japan with my family in China.

Thanks to my senior colleagues' teachings, I can now do anything at work. When I first joined the company, my senior colleagues would make me stand next to them and demonstrate how to do things in front of me. They would explain things slowly so it was easy to understand, and I would imitate their example and teach my junior colleagues in the same way.

I have never experienced discrimination at the work site because I am Chinese. After I worked hard and became a foreman, the site supervisor and other company employees began to trust me, and my work became even easier. Now, I want to study Japanese more and improve my reading and writing skills.

Japan is quiet and beautiful. In other countries, the city noise is loud.
I think Japan is a good environment to raise children in. I would like to continue working in Japan and bring my family here.
I now keep in touch with my two sons (ages 6 and 5) every day via Facebook and video calls.

Everyone at the company is kind to me.
The teamwork is good. Everyone enjoys their work, so it's fun to work together.
The president and general managers often talk to me, asking things like, "Are you getting used to Japan?" and "Is work going well?"

My current goal is to get my driver's license by the end of this year.
Then, in a couple of years, I'd like to buy a Mazda and drive myself to the work site.

After graduating from high school, I attended a Japanese language class at the sending agency for one year. However, after actually coming to Japan,
I became able to use Japanese through my work and daily life.
My current goal is to pass the N2 Japanese exam. I also enjoy voice chatting with Japanese people while playing PC games, which is a hobby of mine, to improve my Japanese.

The work of my superiors and seniors is perfect. It is done carefully and with a high level of completion. I am still not as good as them, but I am studying to become like them.
My younger brother is coming to Japan soon. He has not been able to come to Japan for a while due to the coronavirus, but we will finally be able to work together.

At work, I am not discriminated against because I am a foreigner, and I am treated the same as Japanese people. I can take time off. The work is the same. So when I work, I feel like I am Japanese at heart.

Working at this company has allowed me to send my child to college. I am truly grateful. So I want to improve my Japanese and my job skills so that I can finish my work by myself.

I've been in contact with my family in the Philippines through Facebook Messenger and video calls. I tell them, "I know you're feeling a little lonely, but Dad is doing his best, so please wait a little longer!"

The reason I decided to go to Japan was because of a friend who was working there. I heard that Japanese construction technology is high quality and that Japanese people are kind. So I decided to work in Japan too.

I currently live in Kagawa Prefecture. The landscape of rice fields is similar to that of my hometown, Vietnam. It's very quiet and relaxing.

The goal is to pass the Proficiency Test Level 1. And to invite family from Vietnam to live with them in Kagawa Prefecture! (* If you obtain a status of residence of Specified Skilled Worker (ii), you can invite your wife and children to Japan and live with you.) ）

The range of work that can be done from technical intern training to Specified Skills has increased. I've learned how to read blueprints more or less. I also want to learn how to draw drawings! On our days off, we all go out and enjoy Hokkaido. If you ask the foreman about studying, he will tell you anything, so I end up just listening, but he sees and evaluates me when I work in the field, so I trust the company and work with peace of mind.

My favorite Japanese foods are yakiniku, sushi, and ramen.

Now that I'm Specified Skills, people trust me even more. Unlike when I was a technical intern trainee, I was entrusted with a variety of tasks. I'm glad that I'm needed.

After work, I spend an hour every day studying Japanese using work-related materials and the internet. I also learn a lot from conversations with Japanese craftsmen.

At first, I was surprised at the way Japanese people separate their garbage. But now I try to keep things tidy. I also learn a lot from the way Japanese people work, such as being punctual and reporting even the smallest things.

In Vietnam, it is natural to respect elders, so when I carried their work tools, they were very happy. At work, I use my brain because I do a lot of calculations. I sometimes think about work after I get home, but my dorm mates teach me, so it's not a problem. Right now, I want to learn more about my job!

I dye my own hair to save money. I treasure the handmade masks my Vietnamese family made for me. My circle of friends has grown and I'm having fun in Sapporo. Even though we're from different countries, we all gather at Sapporo Station.