In a major shift that could reshape the future of Japan’s labor market, one leading staffing agency is seizing a wave of change in labor flow to build new opportunities for foreign workers. Spearheaded by its proactive president Ichiro Kiryu, the agency—already dispatching nearly 400 foreign workers from Vietnam, Nepal, and China—is now preparing for full-scale business expansion. The revised structure of Japan’s labor inflow laws is creating a fertile ground for global workforce integration, and this agency is positioning itself at the forefront.
With businesses across Japan, particularly in rural and less populated cities, facing a dire worker shortage, the staffing agency is responding not only by increasing its placements but also by offering critical support services. From housing arrangements to bank account setup and translation help, the agency’s new vision goes far beyond temporary staffing—it’s about long-term inclusion and mutual growth.
Introduction: Japan’s Evolving Labor Landscape
Foreign Workers Become Backbone of Several Industries
Walk into any convenience store or fast food restaurant in Japan these days, and chances are you’ll be greeted in an accent that’s not Japanese. Foreign workers have quietly become the backbone of essential industries, especially in retail and service sectors. Their presence is no longer occasional—it’s foundational. What used to be considered a “supplemental” workforce is now a vital component of Japan’s functioning economy.
The stark reality is simple: Japan’s aging population and declining birth rate have left gaping holes in the labor force. And foreign workers, often young and ambitious, are stepping in to fill them. But it’s not just a numbers game—it’s a cultural and economic transformation in real-time. As businesses become more reliant on these employees, the infrastructure and legal frameworks must evolve to accommodate and support them better.
A Shift in Government Stance – De Facto Immigration?
Officially, Japan maintains a firm stance: it’s not open to economic migrants. The government emphasizes that its visa programs are for “workers,” not immigrants. But anyone watching closely can see the lines blurring. As more workers gain experience, qualify for visa upgrades, and bring families over, Japan is inadvertently crafting a path toward long-term settlement.
This slow but steady shift is being dubbed “de facto immigration.” It’s not formal policy—but it’s happening. The staffing agency’s evolving role mirrors this societal transition. By helping workers settle, find housing, and even navigate daily life, they’re facilitating more than just employment—they’re enabling community integration.
About the Staffing Agency
Led by Ichiro Kiryu: A Visionary Business Leader
At the heart of this transformation is Ichiro Kiryu, a man with both vision and resolve. As the head of one of Japan’s most active staffing agencies for foreign labor, Kiryu is keenly aware of the winds of change sweeping through the labor market. His philosophy is simple yet powerful: if Japan needs workers, and the world has people looking for opportunity, let’s make the connection seamless and mutually beneficial.
What sets Kiryu apart is his readiness to move beyond traditional staffing models. He doesn’t just want to supply labor—he wants to build partnerships, empower individuals, and provide long-term solutions for industries in crisis. His leadership is both strategic and compassionate, rooted in a genuine desire to help both employers and workers thrive.
Dispatching Nearly 400 Foreign Workers Across Japan
The agency currently places close to 400 foreign workers across a range of industries. From factory work to farming, from retail to logistics, these workers are spread throughout the country. And while many are in urban centers, a significant portion are in small cities and rural areas—places that need them the most.
This scale of operation is impressive, but it’s just the beginning. Kiryu believes that with the revised labor flow policies, the agency can double or even triple its placements in the coming years. What’s more, the quality of service—matching the right person to the right job, ensuring compliance with legal standards, and providing post-placement support—is at the core of their success.
Workforce Diversity Driving Change
Employing Foreign Talent from Vietnam, Nepal, and China
The staffing agency prides itself on cultural diversity, employing individuals from Vietnam, Nepal, and China. This multicultural team helps bridge gaps in language, expectations, and work culture. Each community brings its own set of strengths—Vietnamese workers, for instance, are highly regarded for their work ethic, while Nepalese staff often shine in service roles due to their warm, people-friendly nature.
These international employees don’t just staff Japanese companies—they also help mentor and guide new arrivals, making the transition smoother for everyone. With such a supportive internal culture, the agency has become a trusted partner for both foreign workers and Japanese employers.
Serving Cities and Small Towns Alike
While major cities naturally attract labor due to their infrastructure and amenities, it’s the smaller towns and rural regions that are in crisis. Population decline is far more severe in these areas, and businesses—from local restaurants to family-run farms—are struggling to survive.
The agency is actively working to place more foreign workers in these under-served locations. By doing so, they’re not just helping businesses—they’re helping to revive entire communities. With each successful placement, a local economy gets a new lease on life.
Sectors in Dire Need of Labor
Agriculture, Forestry, and Fishing Facing Worker Crisis
Japan’s traditional industries—like agriculture, forestry, and fishing—are rapidly approaching a tipping point. The average age of workers in these sectors is over 60, and young Japanese people are not stepping up to replace them. If no action is taken, these vital industries may vanish in the coming decades.
Foreign workers offer a lifeline. They bring youth, energy, and willingness to engage in physically demanding roles that local populations are increasingly avoiding. The staffing agency understands this and is tailoring its recruitment to support these sectors specifically. Through specialized training programs and targeted placements, they aim to not only sustain but rejuvenate these industries.
Convenience Stores and Restaurants Relying on Foreign Labor
In urban and semi-urban areas, it’s now common to walk into a convenience store and find that the entire staff is made up of foreign workers. From manning cash registers to stocking shelves, they’re keeping Japan’s retail sector running smoothly. The same holds true for fast food chains, where demand is constant and staffing is often a challenge.
These roles are vital for maintaining daily life in Japan, and the agency’s involvement ensures that businesses are never left short-handed. By providing reliable, trained, and language-capable staff, they help employers maintain quality and customer satisfaction even amid severe labor shortages.
Business Expansion Strategy
Ichiro’s Call to Action: “It’s Time to Grow”
President Ichiro Kiryu isn’t one to wait for change—he makes it happen. As soon as revisions to Japan’s labor policies came into effect, he wasted no time in rallying his team and announcing a new direction for the agency. His message to staff was clear and inspiring: “It’s time to grow.” He recognizes that the revised legal and social framework surrounding foreign workers opens the door to a new era of opportunity—not just for the agency, but for every international employee who dreams of a better life in Japan.
Kiryu’s vision includes scaling operations, expanding the talent pool from additional countries, and forging direct partnerships with Japanese companies that want to hire foreign staff without going through intermediary contracts. His goal is simple: become the go-to resource for both businesses seeking reliable foreign workers and individuals abroad looking for stable, supported employment in Japan.
This shift requires more than recruitment—it’s about building trust, infrastructure, and long-term systems that benefit everyone involved. By aligning business growth with societal needs, Kiryu is laying the foundation for a sustainable and inclusive future.
Preparing Support for Direct Employment by Japanese Companies
Traditionally, many foreign workers in Japan are hired through dispatch agencies, creating a buffer between them and the employers. However, as businesses seek more stable relationships and reduced turnover, there’s increasing interest in direct hiring. Kiryu’s agency is preparing to adapt to this trend by offering a suite of support services that allow companies to onboard foreign employees directly, with confidence and ease.
The agency’s new support framework will include pre-arrival orientation, legal guidance on visa processes, and post-arrival assistance. For businesses unfamiliar with hiring foreigners, this guidance is invaluable. It ensures compliance with Japan’s strict labor and immigration laws, reduces administrative headaches, and creates a smoother experience for all parties involved.
This bold move will shift the agency’s role from merely being a labor provider to becoming a full-service partner in international workforce integration.
Comprehensive Services for Foreign Workers
Housing and Bank Accounts: Making the Transition Smooth
Relocating to a new country is a major life transition. For many foreign workers, the hardest part isn’t the job itself—it’s navigating everyday necessities like finding a place to live or opening a bank account. That’s why the agency is investing in comprehensive onboarding services, with housing assistance at the top of the list.
Many landlords in Japan are hesitant to rent to foreigners due to language barriers or unfamiliarity with visa types. The agency helps bridge this gap by pre-negotiating with property owners, co-signing leases if necessary, and ensuring that workers are placed in safe, affordable housing close to their job sites.
Opening a bank account in Japan, especially for someone without fluent Japanese, is another hurdle. The agency guides its workers through the process, provides translated documents, and sometimes even accompanies them to the bank. These small but essential services have a big impact, turning what could be an overwhelming experience into a manageable, even welcoming one.
Translation and Cultural Adaptation Services
Language is more than communication—it’s access. Without it, foreign workers can feel isolated, unable to advocate for themselves or even complete basic tasks. That’s why the agency is ramping up its translation services. From job training materials to daily living guides, everything is being made accessible in Vietnamese, Nepali, Chinese, and other common languages among their workforce.
But they’re going even further than translation—they’re investing in cultural adaptation programs. These include seminars on Japanese workplace etiquette, social customs, and even local laws. Understanding these nuances not only helps workers adjust, but also helps them avoid common pitfalls, stay employed longer, and feel more confident.
By integrating these services into their operational model, the agency isn’t just providing jobs—they’re fostering dignity, autonomy, and success for every person they place.
Surge in Interest from Sending Countries
Vietnam Sees Opportunity for Economic Uplift
The economic gap between Vietnam and Japan makes working abroad an attractive option for many Vietnamese youth. The average income in Vietnam is still relatively low compared to Japan, meaning that a job in Japan—even a basic one—can provide life-changing financial support for workers and their families back home.
The staffing agency is seeing a significant increase in applications from Vietnam, and they’re responding by opening a dedicated recruitment agency, hiring Vietnamese-speaking coordinators, and building stronger ties with technical colleges and job centers in the country.
Vietnamese workers are particularly sought after because of their discipline, adaptability, and eagerness to learn. As the demand grows, Kiryu plans to invest in more training programs in Vietnam itself, preparing candidates before they ever board a plane. This pre-departure investment ensures smoother transitions and quicker productivity once they arrive in Japan.
Uzbekistan’s Minister Keen on Bilateral Labor Flow
In a surprising but promising development, the agency was recently approached by a consultant who had been invited to meet with Uzbekistan’s Minister responsible for overseas labor. The minister expressed strong interest in sending more Uzbek workers to Japan, recognizing it as a safer and more stable alternative to traditional destinations like Russia or the Middle East.
The minister’s enthusiasm reflects a growing regional trend: as Western nations tighten immigration, many labor-exporting countries are turning to Asia—and Japan in particular—as a new frontier for opportunity. The agency is actively exploring formal agreements with Uzbekistan, which could include government-backed training programs, cultural exchanges, and language instruction.
This potential collaboration marks a new level of international diplomacy through workforce development. And for Ichiro Kiryu’s team, it’s another sign that the agency is moving in the right direction—fast.
Global Trends and Shifting Immigration Policies
U.S. Immigration Tightens – Japan Emerges as a Viable Option
Global immigration trends are in flux. The United States, once the ultimate destination for foreign workers, has been tightening its policies. Stricter visa requirements, heightened scrutiny, and political uncertainty have led many potential migrants to look elsewhere. That “elsewhere” is increasingly Japan.
While Japan isn’t actively advertising itself as a migrant-friendly nation, the reality is that its demographic challenges leave it little choice. Businesses are desperate, birth rates are plummeting, and there simply aren’t enough hands to keep the economy running. The result? A silent opening of doors that were once tightly shut.
Foreign workers—and the countries that send them—are noticing. Japan offers not just jobs, but stability, safety, and long-term potential. The agency is capitalizing on this shift, positioning itself as a bridge between these eager global job seekers and the employers who need them most.
Japan’s Unique Visa Approach: Migrant Labor Without Labeling It So
Japan’s visa system is famously strict. The government refuses to label its labor strategy as “immigration,” maintaining a narrative that foreign workers are temporary contributors, not future citizens. Yet, when you peel back the layers, a different story emerges.
Visa types like the “Specified Skilled Worker” can be renewed, upgraded, and eventually even lead to permanent residence under certain conditions. If a worker performs well, gains experience, and integrates smoothly, the chances of long-term settlement increase dramatically.
The staffing agency understands this and is training its workers not just for jobs—but for futures. With language lessons, financial education, and legal aid, they’re preparing their foreign employees for every step of the journey, even the ones not explicitly outlined in policy documents.
Social Implications of Growing Foreign Presence
From Workers to Neighbors: Rethinking Integration
Japan is on the cusp of a social shift. Foreign workers are no longer just temporary figures in uniforms behind convenience store counters—they’re becoming part of the community. They ride the same trains, shop at the same markets, and send their children to the same schools. As their numbers grow, it’s forcing Japanese society to confront a question it has long avoided: what does true integration look like?
President Kiryu believes the answer lies in seeing foreign workers not as economic units but as neighbors. That starts with inclusive policies and continues with everyday acts of kindness. Local governments are being called upon to introduce multicultural support centers, translation services in hospitals, and international community events that help bridge cultural divides.
The staffing agency is already acting as a catalyst in this process. It encourages its clients to treat workers with dignity, supports cultural exchange workshops, and works with municipalities to develop welcoming programs. The transition from outsider to insider is slow, but with deliberate effort, it’s possible—and necessary.
Local and National Governments Urged to Act
While agencies like Kiryu’s are doing what they can, there’s only so much the private sector can achieve alone. For real change, government participation is essential. Local authorities need to invest in bilingual signage, community interpreters, and culturally sensitive welfare programs. National ministries need to revisit visa categories, redefine pathways to permanent residence, and officially acknowledge what’s already happening: Japan is becoming a country of immigrants.
This may seem like a daunting political shift, but the groundwork is already being laid. From city councils in regional towns to legislative discussions in Tokyo, the dialogue is starting. The staffing agency’s efforts serve as a case study for how the government can support, scale, and replicate private models of integration.
With the right vision and collaboration, Japan can become not just a destination for labor—but a home for global talent.
The Future of Foreign Employment in Japan
Visa Upgrades and Family Migration Paths
One of the most promising developments in Japan’s evolving labor policy is the hidden door toward permanence. Under the current system, foreign workers with “Specified Skilled Worker” visas can, after a certain period and satisfactory job performance, apply for an upgrade. This allows them not only to stay longer but also opens the path to bring family members into Japan.
This shift is monumental. It transforms the narrative from “temporary helper” to “future resident.” The staffing agency is educating its workers on these options from day one, helping them plan long-term. They assist with visa paperwork, offer Japanese language classes, and even help coordinate family reunifications once workers become eligible.
The emotional and psychological impact of family migration cannot be overstated. When workers are reunited with loved ones, they are more stable, more productive, and more likely to invest in their host country. It’s a win-win that contributes not just to the economy, but to the social fabric.
Long-Term Settlement Potential Grows
While Japan may not openly call itself an immigrant nation, the reality on the ground tells a different story. More foreign residents are buying homes, enrolling their children in local schools, and becoming active members of civic life. Some marry Japanese citizens, start small businesses, or take on leadership roles in their workplaces. These are not transient lives—they’re rooted ones.
The staffing agency sees this transformation firsthand. Workers who once came on short contracts are now talking about saving for a house, applying for permanent residency, or even starting their own ventures. The agency supports this evolution by offering life coaching, career counseling, and legal aid for permanent status applications.
This growing potential for settlement challenges Japan to redefine its identity—not just as a place of work, but as a place of belonging.
Conclusion: Building Inclusive Communities Through Labor Mobility
Japan is facing a labor crisis, but in that crisis lies an extraordinary opportunity—to not only solve workforce shortages but also to build a more inclusive, dynamic, and globally connected society. The staffing agency led by Ichiro Kiryu is at the forefront of this movement. Through its bold expansion plans, support systems for foreign workers, and commitment to long-term integration, it’s not just placing employees—it’s building bridges.
From helping workers open bank accounts and find homes, to facilitating cultural integration and family reunification, the agency is pioneering a new model for what labor migration can look like. It respects the humanity of the worker while responding to the urgent needs of businesses and society.
As foreign labor becomes an essential part of Japan’s economic and social structure, the country will need to move beyond the temporary mindset. It must accept, support, and embrace these individuals as full participants in the national story. And thanks to forward-thinking leaders like Kiryu, that future might just be within reach.
FAQs
1. What services does the staffing agency offer to foreign workers?
The agency provides comprehensive services including job placement, housing assistance, bank account setup, visa guidance, translation services, and cultural adaptation training. It aims to make the transition to life in Japan smooth and sustainable.
2. Which industries are seeing the highest demand for foreign labor?
Agriculture, forestry, fishing, food service, and retail (especially convenience stores and fast food chains) are among the industries most in need of foreign workers due to aging populations and shrinking local labor forces.
3. How does Japan handle work visas for foreign labor?
Japan currently offers several types of work visas. The “Specified Skilled Worker” visa is one of the most common, allowing foreign nationals to work in designated sectors with the potential to renew and upgrade based on performance and experience.
4. Why are countries like Vietnam and Uzbekistan focused on Japan?
Japan offers economic stability, safety, and higher wages compared to many workers’ home countries. Countries like Vietnam and Uzbekistan see Japan as a promising destination for labor export due to strong demand and long-term employment opportunities.
5. What long-term changes could result from this labor flow?
As more workers gain experience and qualify for visa upgrades, they may bring their families, settle long-term, and contribute to local communities. This could lead to a quiet transformation of Japan into a more multicultural society.
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