Support Plan for Specified Skilled Worker (i) | A Detailed Explanation of the 10 Items of Mandatory Support

What Is a Support Plan?

Companies (accepting organizations) that accept Specified Skilled Worker (i) foreign nationals are obliged to formulate a support plan for Specified Skilled Worker (i) foreign nationals and to provide appropriate support based on it. The support plan must include the 10 items of mandatory support prescribed by law.

Basis: Articles 19-22 to 19-24 of the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act, and Article 4 of the Ministerial Ordinance on Specified Skilled Worker Standards

Note that for Specified Skilled Worker (ii) foreign nationals, formulating a support plan is not required.

The 10 Items of Mandatory Support

1. Provision of Prior Guidance

Before entry into Japan (or before the change of status of residence), the following information is provided to the foreign national.

Information to Be Provided	Content
Job content, remuneration, working conditions	Sufficient explanation of the content of the employment contract
Content of activities in Japan	Details of the work to be engaged in under Specified Skilled Worker
Entry procedures	Guidance on the procedures required for entry
Prohibition of collecting deposits	That no contract collecting a deposit may be concluded
Content of support	Explanation of the support available after acceptance

Method of implementation: Conducted in person or via video call, etc. It must be conducted in a language the person can sufficiently understand.

2. Transportation on Entry and Departure

• On entry: Transportation from the airport, etc. to the workplace or residence
• On departure: Transportation to the airport, etc., and accompanying and seeing the person off up to the entrance of the security checkpoint

3. Support for Securing Housing and Contracts Necessary for Daily Life

To enable the foreign national to secure housing, one of the following forms of support is provided.

• The accepting organization becomes the joint guarantor of the lease agreement
• The accepting organization provides housing itself (company housing, etc.)
• Support with the procedures when using a rent guarantee company

In addition, support with contracts necessary for daily life is provided, such as opening a bank account, signing up for a mobile phone, and procedures for utilities (electricity, gas, water).

4. Implementation of Life Orientation

Information necessary for daily life in Japan is provided. It is required to be conducted for at least 8 hours or more.

Explanation Item	Examples of Content
How to use financial institutions	How to use ATMs, how to send money
How to use medical institutions	How to receive medical care at hospitals, how to use health insurance
Traffic rules and how to use transportation	How to ride trains and buses, traffic etiquette
Rules and etiquette of daily life	Garbage disposal rules, cautions regarding noise
Response in the event of a disaster	Evacuation sites, emergency contacts
How to make notifications	Notification of place of residence, notifications relating to the residence card
Consultation desks and where to file complaints	Labor Standards Inspection Office, Houterasu (Japan Legal Support Center), etc.

5. Accompaniment for Public Procedures, Etc.

As necessary, the organization accompanies the person for the following procedures and assists with preparing documents.

• Notifications at the municipal office of the place of residence
• Procedures relating to social insurance and taxes
• Other administrative procedures

6. Provision of Opportunities to Learn Japanese

Opportunities to learn Japanese are provided by one of the following methods.

• Guidance on enrolling in Japanese language classes, etc., and assistance with enrollment procedures
• Provision of information on Japanese language learning materials
• Provision of information on online Japanese language courses

7. Responding to Consultations and Complaints

The organization appropriately responds to consultations and complaints from the foreign national regarding working life, daily life, or social life.

• Respond in a language the person can sufficiently understand
• Establish a consultation desk and make it known to the foreign national
• As necessary, provide guidance to and accompany the person to the relevant administrative agencies

8. Promotion of Interaction with Japanese People

Opportunities for interaction between the foreign national and Japanese people are provided.

• Guidance on opportunities to interact with local residents (neighborhood association activities, etc.)
• Guidance on participating in local events (festivals, etc.)
• Provision of other opportunities for interaction

9. Support for Changing Jobs (In Cases Such as Workforce Reduction)

If the employment contract is terminated for reasons on the part of the accepting organization (workforce reduction, bankruptcy, etc.), the following support is provided.

• Help in finding a new employer (guidance on Hello Work, etc.)
• Provision of necessary documents such as preparing a letter of recommendation
• Granting paid leave to conduct job-hunting activities
• Provision of information on the administrative procedures necessary for a change of status of residence upon leaving the job

10. Regular Interviews and Reporting to Administrative Agencies

Interviews are conducted with the foreign national and their supervisor at least once every 3 months.

• Confirm that there are no violations of the Labor Standards Act, etc.
• Confirm that there are no violations of the Immigration Control Act
• Obligation to report to the relevant administrative agencies if a problem is discovered

Outsourcing to a Registered Support Organization

All or part of the support plan may be outsourced to a Registered Support Organization.

Item	Content
What is a Registered Support Organization?	An organization registered with the Commissioner of the Immigration Services Agency of Japan
Advantages of outsourcing	Support can be entrusted to an organization with specialized expertise
Approximate outsourcing cost	Roughly ¥20,000 to ¥40,000 per month per person (varies by organization)
In the case of full outsourcing	The accepting organization only prepares the support plan, and the Registered Support Organization handles implementation

Note: Even when outsourced, ultimate responsibility for the support lies with the accepting organization. Choose a Registered Support Organization carefully.

Key Points in Formulating a Support Plan

1. Secure a structure able to respond in the foreign national’s native language
2. Appoint a support supervisor and support staff (one person may hold both roles)
3. Describe the content of the support specifically and in detail
4. Clarify the implementation schedule
5. Also consider outsourcing to a Registered Support Organization as an option

Reference: Immigration Services Agency of Japan, “Specified Skilled Worker Guidebook” https://www.moj.go.jp/content/001326468.pdf

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